Quote From: blgspc
It doesn’t seem real to me yet, but I am ‘Officially’ retired.
I had a very interesting week. People said things that genuinely surprised me, some were even shocking!
I was taken aback by the shear number of people who made a point of stopping by to say, ‘Good-Bye’.
So many people made comments about how “different things (were) going be, now…” (I though they would miss me just because I came to work regularly.) However, folks made statements about the “standard” I set, pointing out that regardless of how “crazy” things got that THEY felt I had consistently REFUSED to compromise fundamental principals! Others, described ME as their ‘LEADER’ and “Captain of the Ship”! I didn’t even know that they even knew or cared about my stance on anything!
There were hugs, endearing gestures. I couldn’t believe it.! (Many had fussed and fumed over every single decision I reached!)
Others were there laughing and re-counting stories about everything from my response to the ‘System’, to the eulogy I once wrote for a very ornate spider, I killed. (Well, someone had to do it! He had no family, locally!)
I almost got a swelled head! Then it occurred to me, ‘Hey, Girl! This is just a send-off. If you hadn’t been here to do this job someone else would have. Maybe even better than you did! Don’t loses your head! You just did a job, period.’
Now, it’s on to the next step…
Brenda J
Brenda,
I am giggling somewhat with your description of ego stroking. You know, sometimes it is OK to have a bit of a swelled head, to enjoy people telling you they appreciated your presence in their life.
Sometimes we tend to belittle the impact we have on other's lives. I was told once that this is quite arrogant, to assume we can interact and not impact. I don't know if I will go so far as to say arrogant, yet I do believe it is naive.
I am sure you brought something good to each person at your work. Aggravation can be a good thing, as it teaches us patience, their memory of you being solid when it comes to ethics, wow! What a legacy to leave behind!!! It is too bad they waited for you to leave to tell you, yes?
It is on to the next step, and never having retired before, I have no clue what it is other than DON'T STOP! Keep doing things that make you happy and help you grow as a person. I believe giving of yourself is something you would really appreciate. Who knows how many lives you can touch now that you are not wrapped up in the corporate world....
Teri
P.S. Maybe taking the time to develop a personal mission statement would be a good thing to do...here are some websites that may help if you want to check them out. http://www.franklincovey.com/missionbuilder/ http://www.nightingale.com/tMission_PersonalStatement.asp?source=INTROHR
