Embracing the Shift

The journey can be disorienting for those of us stepping into a new chapter of life after retirement. We move from structured days and full calendars into an unfamiliar space. For the Type-A souls who’ve spent a lifetime in motion, this shift might feel like losing our place in the world.

But what if this transition isn’t the end of our relevance—but the beginning of our rebirth?

What if life after retirement isn’t about stepping back—but stepping inward?

In this poem, I offer a reflection for all who feel the stillness settling in. May it be a companion on your journey as you rediscover the sacred art of simply being.

Waking into Now

A poem for those who thought they were fading, but were really just arriving.

There comes a day—
quiet,
unannounced—
when the phone stops ringing,
the invitations slow,
and the world no longer waits
for your wisdom.

At first, it feels like exile.
Like relevance slipping through your hands.
You wonder, Am I still needed?
Am I still seen?

You remember your mother
sitting still,
her days narrowing.
And a fear rises—
Is this that same stillness?
Is this the beginning of the end?

But stay.
Don’t run from this hush.
Let it hold you.

Because this—
this is not the end.
This is the beginning
of a different kind of knowing.

The kind that doesn’t need applause.
Or urgency.
Or a calendar filled with calls.

This is presence.
The long-forgotten art
of simply being.

You are not retreating from life—
you are sinking deeper into it.

Now, the morning light isn’t a cue to get moving.
It’s a cathedral.
Now, the bird’s song isn’t background noise.
It’s a sacred conversation.
Now, the silence isn’t empty.
It’s alive.

You are not sitting out.
You are sitting in—
into your body, your breath, your soul.
Into the miracle of now.

You spent your life helping others awaken.
Now, at last,
you are waking yourself—
to joy without striving,
to peace without performance,
to love without condition.

And in this new chapter,
you are not becoming less.
You are becoming whole.

This is not fading.
This is arrival.
This is the sacred art
of waking into now.

Finding Meaning in Life After Retirement

Many people enter retirement fearing irrelevance. But as this poem reveals, life after retirement is not a loss of meaning—it’s an invitation into presence, wholeness, and a deeper spirituality.

This stage of life can become a sanctuary—a time to rediscover wonder, listen to the quiet voice within, and embrace the fullness of now.

If you’re seeking deeper spiritual practices to support your journey, explore my book “The Peacemaker’s Path: Multifaith Reflections to Deepen Your Spirituality” 

For a beautiful reflection on aging and presence, I recommend reading “The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully” by Joan Chittister 

Final Thoughts

If you’re navigating this sacred shift, know this: you’re not alone. Life after retirement doesn’t mean stepping back from purpose—it means fully accepting who you are. Let this poem remind you that you’re still unfolding. Still awakening. Still deeply, beautifully alive.