Introduction

When I read this prompt, “How do you want to retire?” It wasn’t the question itself that caught me off guard—it was the timing. There I was, still filled with passion, pushing against walls that seemed designed to keep me contained. Suddenly, I was expected to envision the day when I just… stopped?

Retirement sounds glorious when you’re young, full of energy, and mapping out your future. Like a chessboard, every move is deliberate. But when that youthful optimism meets the grit of real life, when your zeal collides with barriers that don’t budge. The question shifts. It doesn’t spark excitement; it almost feels like a challenge to fate. Did I fail to plan? Is retirement something I should have secured years ago?

For a moment, the thought stung. The idea that places an expiration date on my purpose made me want to tear up in grief. But then, just as darkness threatened to settle in, another realization dawned: Nothing is too late. Purpose does not expire. Vision does not crumble just because the years roll on. Light is still bright, and as long as there is light, there is work to be done.

Retirement—A Trap or a Transition?

A friend once told me they were crafting their perfect retirement plan. They spoke about sandy beaches, quiet libraries, and a retirement fund big enough to make Mr. President stop worrying about Social Security. It was polished, well-organized, and frankly… a little terrifying.

I chuckled and said, “I don’t have a retirement plan—I have a purpose. And if I wait to retire when I’m ‘supposed to,’ I might just miss the best parts of the journey.”

Because here’s the truth: Retirement isn’t about ceasing—it’s about shifting. Some people hang up their work shoes at 65. Some at 75. And some—those still reaching for the light—never truly retire at all.

The danger is in waiting for a structured, predictable exit, because darkness is deep and restrictive. The longer we sit idle, the easier it is to lose sight of what truly matters.

The Unexpected Reality of Retirement

I know a friend who retired at 65, and on the surface, his story sounded perfect. He began fulfilling his lifelong dream, traveling across Africa. Soaking in the beauty of landscapes and cultures he had once only imagined. It was refreshing, exciting, and everything a retirement brochure promised.

But then came the days of simply staying home. At first, it was peaceful—reaching out to loved ones, embracing the small joys of quiet mornings. But as time passed, he realized something unsettling: he was alone. The silence that once felt like freedom became weighty. He told me, “I felt weak—not because of illness, but because my life had stopped moving. My spirit was restless.”

In his own words, he wasn’t living—he was pretending to live. And that realization struck him hard.

So, he made a decision: to go back to work.

No grand corporate comeback. No huge, dramatic shift. Just a simple act of movement—sitting at the entrance of Costco, welcoming shoppers with a smile. And it changed everything. His health improved, his mind stayed sharp, and his days became filled with purpose again.

The Real Plan—Work While There’s Light

So here’s my real call to action: Work while there is light. When strength is still within, when vision is clear, when movement is still possible, press on

Retirement isn’t failure, but neither is choosing to keep going. Some people retire when the world system says so. Others keep moving, reaching, shaping legacies until the very last chapter.

Because when retirement becomes isolation, the light fades. And when the light fades, the soul struggles to thrive.

So ask yourself—how will you keep moving when life gives you the choice to stop?

Let’s keep working, not because we have to, but because our calling isn’t bound by timelines. Our purpose outlives any retirement schedule.

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