Don Roulo is the CEO (Chief Encouragement Officer) of Life Quest. He is a life, career and business coach as well as a Certified 48 Days Workshop Facilitator. He travels nationally and internationally to conduct business and career training as well as marriage and family workshops.

By DON ROULO

My family and I did something we very rarely ever do. We happened to be all in the living room while the national news was on TV. The rare part is ever watching the national news. To be honest, I am not sure why I even had it on.

We caught some of the teasers they use to keep you watching and one of them stood out.  We continued to watch because we were all interested to find out about who was the oldest employee of McDonald’s. Yes, I am talking about the McDonalds with the golden arches. They have a ‘Golden Years’ employee.

After just a few more minutes we were treated to a light-hearted story about Ms. Sara Dappen. Sara is a very young 92. She works four hours a day, five days a week. My family and I were blown away by this delightful story. Ninety-two years old and still working 20 hours a week! She cleans the tables and mops the floor and other similar duties. Sara loves being active and interacting with people.

After watching this wonderful lady, I started thinking about, ‘What will you do at 92?’ I realize not everyone will be living to the age of 92, but I am sure you understand my question. What will you, and I, be doing when we start getting up in age? Will we retire and never work again? Will we semi-retire and work a few hours each week?

I then remembered many conversations with my mother-in-law who worked at a retirement home here in Warsaw for about 30 years. Mom often told stories about people who would come to live there in retirement, not for health problems, but just to retire. She said it was very common to have people come in who were ‘very healthy,’ but pass away after a few years.

She said when people had no family or friends, no activities, nothing to give themselves too, she could see them start to slip away and then finally pass away. They were supposed to be in their ‘Golden Years’ and enjoying retirement, but sadly, many had nothing to give their time and energy too.

I also started to think about the many articles I have read about retirement in foreign nations. In many foreign languages there actually is no word for retirement. It simply does not exist in their culture. Retirement is a very European/American idea and concept. We most often think of retirement as never working again and doing what we want to do when we want to do it.

I am becoming more and more convinced our American idea of retirement is not really what it should be. When we retire, could it not entail working part-time or volunteering? Think about all the knowledge, wisdom and experience we have gained throughout our lives. Sure, we may not physically be able to do what we used to do, but we can guide and impart wisdom to those who are still finding their way in life.

I understand our concept of retirement might be to golf every day, play cards, garden or travel. Those are all wonderful things to do and should be enjoyed, but what about having a real purpose in our later years? What about taking time to teach young children how to golf? What about teaching young men and ladies how to cook, clean or even run a business? It is not something we have to do full-time or even receive a paycheck for, but what about a greater purpose? What does retirement look like to you? What will you do when your 92?

About the Author
Don Roulo is a life, career and business coach as well as a Certified 48 Days Workshop Facilitator. He travels nationally and internationally to conduct business and career training as well as marriage and family workshops.

As a business consultant, he has written business plans and worked to market products or services as well as organizing financial statements for investors. Because of his success in the sales and business arena, Don has been blessed with the opportunity to train, motivate and inspire others. His passion is to motivate and equip people to find their passion and achieve their goals and God given destiny.