"I wake up early in the morning to realize that, its not the usual

day. I am retired. I don't know how to spend the day. I pass

some time with the newspaper and the rest watching TV. Till
then my grandkids come back from school. I plan to go out with
the family, but everyone is tired and they have their own set of
works to do. I have no other go, but dig myself into those
philosophical books. The day is over and I am back on my bed
to welcome another day of loneliness, loss, frustration, and
grief".

This is the life after retirement, as Richard Armour Quotes,

"Retired is being twice tired, I've thought
First tired ofworking,Then tired of not."

Studies show that high percentage of people die during their

first year of retirement. One of the reasons being, psychological
trauma. A sense of feeling that you're a worn out individual and
should be placed in the corner of the house sitting idle most of
the time.

This period of life can be made fun and worth living to explore
the unexplored.

There may be times in your life when you wanted to learn to

play golf or wanted to write a book on your experience and
learning, or wanted to learn salsa. But your desires where never
fulfilled, because you were too busy at work or family. This is
the right time to explore your hidden talents and fulfill your
deepest desires.

Here are few ways to stay active and make money after
retirement. Work is the important way of coping with the
nagging worries.

Physical activity:
The best way to be healthy, independent and occupied is by
doing some minor physical exercise such as walking and yoga.
Get started with activities that will make you feel warm and
breath deeply. It may not be some heavy stuff, but small things
like walking whenever and wherever you can, taking the stairs
instead of an elevator etc. You could also enroll in the
neighbourhood yoga or laughter club. Being healthy will also
help you be independent.

Meet friends:
Meet your old friends outside. There may be times when you
missed out the most important events with your friend. Plan a
picnic, as even he may be feeling lonely. Go out to play golf or
any game you like.

Gardening:
Gardening is the best way to keep you occupied. This is also a
great stress buster. Grow some flowers or vegetables in your
garden. If you don't have a garden you can grow plants in a pot.
You can even get the younger ones involved in this work.
Decorate your house with these plants and flowers. Look how
proud and contented you will feel.

Help grandkids:
If your grandkids are busy with homework and you have some
time on your hands, why not help them with their work? Apart
from homework, you can play with them, tell them stories, take
them to the park etc. Thus you will gain a good listener and
even build a healthy relationship.

Go on a holiday:
Go on a cruise with your partner. Visit a distant land, which you
have always wanted to see. And remember there is no age bar
for a second honeymoon. This is the age when you are alone
most of the time with your partner, so make the best use of it.
Discover those facets about each other left untouched and
forgotten over the years.

Volunteer:
Be a volunteer to an NGO who deal with projects relating to the
empowerment of women, child care or anything that draws your
interest and is also of a major help to the society.

Use your skills:

You may be a businessman, a professional, or an accountant.
Years of experience in that field will surely be of some help to
the youngsters. Use your skills to train them. Start a course.
This will fill your pockets and even finds you some work to keep
going.
Pen them:
You may not be a celebrity to the world, but life must have
taught you something, that you always wanted to pen down. So
why don't you try it now? You have the leisure and even the
patience too. This is the best opportunity, to tell the world what
you feel. You may not win the Booker Prize, but maybe many
can learn from your experience..

Join a course:
Wasn't there a time when you badly wanted to learn to paint,
sing or dance. Here the time has come. Join a course that
interests you. Fulfill all your desires. Use your creativity to put
forth your ideas.

Let not age make you surrender to its oddities. Soar and fly.
Begin your life anew in its own colours. Retirement is the
respect given to your years of service. But if you don't want to
sit and rest why not explore and say "here life I am back like a
Phoenix. Ready to go." Live the life that you're worth living,
afterall, 'Age is a state of the mind.'