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Work brain versus retirement brain is an idea I continue exploring more deeply now that I’m fully retired from my long corporate career. I explore how these two distinct mindsets complement each other beautifully and also differ in meaningful ways. Then, beyond that important point, I carefully examine how they ultimately affect the overall quality of daily life in retirement.
When I was actively working in the workforce, I understood the focus of a structured routine, a focus on productivity, and the strong desire to achieve meaningful success. I wove my passions creatively into those demanding corporate structures in order to create personal fulfillment each day. Now that I’m happily retired, I still define supportive structures for myself every week, but I gear them more intentionally toward living my true passions with greater freedom.
Work brain drives essential career growth and advancement in powerful ways. Yet that intense mindset often trapped me far away from my deepest passions and joyful interests for many years. Now retired, I wonder how I could have blended more fulfillment into corporate life.
Work and Retirement Brain in An Ideal World
In an ideal world, wouldn’t it be wonderful if all our ‘day jobs’ happily aligned with our ‘passions’ in perfect harmony? Many fortunate people discover that sweet spot early and truly thrive with incredible success. Some individuals settle for an ordinary bill-paying job and quietly shelve their most cherished dreams for later. We must discover a harmonious sweet spot somewhere along this journey! I suppose we all experiment thoughtfully with this balancing act as we progress through the different seasons of our lives.
What if we lived our fulfilling passions every single day and actually got paid well for doing so? If you could have the very best of both worlds right now, what does that inspiring picture look like for you personally? I kept my passions and my work largely separate for many years without realizing the cost. Now comfortably retired, I often wonder what could have changed dramatically if I had blended them sooner with more intention and courage. Maybe my honest musings will gently stir some fresh and creative ideas in your own beautiful living.
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When you think about feeling serene, what comes to mind? In the hustle of our daily lives, it’s nice to take a moment to feel serene. It has a way of allowing us to grab a perspective outside of rush-rush-rush that centers our hearts. Nature settings come to mind when I think about feeling serene: a nice sunset, a still body of water, a peaceful garden, or seeing a rainbow after a storm.
When I experience this emotion, my body feels content. Everything feels calm and undisturbed. There are moments we feel serene, but when was the last time you put a word on it? Where does serenity gather in your body when you feel it?
As I grow my emotional vocabulary, serenity is important to have on the tip of my tongue. I strive for calm in my life and having a word in place to describe it helps to breed more of what I want. Isn’t it interesting how focusing on something breeds more of it? Mmm, serene. It’s like a refreshing bite of delicious goodness.
Having chaos in my life comes so naturally. I don’t have to ask for it — it just seems to surface around every corner, if I let it. If I’m seeking to feel more calm, what if I look around those corners for serenity?
Do you suppose more of it would show up if I kept my eyes peeled for it? I think so.
I like how we can reach out and grab what we desire with emotions. Serene is one I want to grab more often. I’ve never sat down and tried to write about this emotion before, and I’m finding myself struggling to put words around it. I love the way it feels and want more of it. Never thought about the perspective of using this emotional vocabulary to boost my emotional system.
We can make more of what we want in our lives emotionally…
If you would like to explore more feelings in the Stayin’ in Touch – Positive Emotions book, click here for more information.
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Sometimes, I find an odd sense of kinship with the grass that carpets my yard. In the morning, it stands tall and eager, as if reaching out to soak up the first sunrays of the day. I find myself stretching my limbs as well, waking up with the light streaming through my window with hope to absorb something meaningful from the day ahead.
The grass endures the whims of the weather—unfaltering under heavy rain, wilting in scorching heat, yet resiliently bouncing back. It’s a survivor in shades of green. It’s much like how I weather life’s trials. The rains of sadness drench me, the harsh winds of adversity try to uproot me, and there are moments of scalding criticism that make me feel like shriveling away. But much like the grass, I find a way to rise again. I can almost hear the grass’s silent hymn of endurance, a melody I echo in my own life.
Walking barefoot on the lawn, I can’t help but think about the weight the grass carries. From the patter of children’s feet to the trudge of adult steps, it bears it all, recovering its form after each press. It makes me ponder how we, too, are walked on—sometimes gently, sometimes harshly. Yet, it’s how we bounce back that molds and shapes our character.
But the grass isn’t just about endurance; it’s also about growth. With just a little water and sunlight, it sprouts new blades, expanding its green empire inch by inch. Don’t we all grow a little every time we’re nurtured by love and care, spreading our roots further into the world, exploring our own limits?
And when the grass gets cut down, mowed into neat, even lines it must be a shocking moment. Yet, it grows back stronger and fuller. Life cuts me down now and then—sometimes in small snips and at other times in harsh, unforgiving hacks. The feelings of loss are profound, but so is the experience of growing back more resilient.
The next time you see a patch of grass, consider its silent yet poignant life story. You might find that it mirrors your own in ways you’d never expect. It’s a life constantly in flux, and within its blades, I see a reflection of my own struggles, resilience, and quiet triumphs.
Jerome Grey, contributing author
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I’m delighted to explore this thrilled emotion. Do you recall the most recent occasion that made you feel thrilled? Though it may seem self-serving… My most recent thrill came when I got my Stayin’ In Touch series of books made available on Amazon. For those of you who may not know, I self-published this 10-book series last year but didn’t have them KDP-friendly for Amazon. Yay! Now they’re available on Amazon. These ‘emotion’ posts are my personal samples from these books. (I’m currently working through the Stayin’ In Touch – Positive Emotions book.)
Back to feeling thrilled. This feeling makes my whole body tingle with excitement and delight. It’s like all the cells and atoms that make me up resonate and tingle together; through my arms and legs, my trunk, and my soul. It’s a good feeling, isn’t it?
I think I feel thrilled more frequently than I realize. Having a name for it and putting a face on it gives me an opportunity to look around and see it more often. Isn’t it amazing that we experience so many emotions in a day and that we can change how we feel from one moment to the next?
It’s interesting to explore positive emotions. When I think about exploring different emotions, I gravitate toward less comfortable emotions. That’s where it seems the growth is. But I also think exploring positive emotions has an equal value. There is an interesting energy created by naming positive emotions. It makes them more prevalent in my consciousness. This gives my general disposition an opportunity to grab one of those to play with instead of a more negatively framed emotion.
It’s fun to feel thrilled. It’s like acknowledging an accomplishment or fulfilling a dream to feel thrilled about it. Whatever adventure brings you a thrilled feeling, feel it vigorously. It’s a great feeling!
Emotions are like color in our souls…
If you would like to explore more feelings in the Stayin’ in Touch – Positive Emotions book, click here for more information.
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Life Gifts
- I send you buckets of smiles to share with everyone you meet.
- I send you clocks that indicate there is plenty of time.
- I send you chortles, giggles, and warm hugs.
- I send you joy as I think about how delightful you are.
- I send you showers of grace and peace.
- Sending you a luxury craft to drift in a while you regroup.
- I send you soothing healing.
- I send you honor and respect as you navigate this wave in your life.
- I send you warm blankets to snuggle with as you sip warm tea and warm up your cold body.
- Sending you a perfect worry doll to manage your worries.
- I send you appreciation for caring to make healthy choices for yourself.
- I send you focus and energy as you write today.
- I send you healing love and energy.
- I send you comfy pillows to cradle you in love and comfort.
- I send you a warm spot of cheer and buckets of love for you to use as you wish.
- I send you the deep, rich colors of berries to paint your soul.
- Sending you tasty inspiration.
- I send you different flavored lollipops to quench your craving.
- I send you fresh strawberries to enjoy in a mild, sunny meadow upon a lush spring mountain.
- I send you warm, comfortable rest.
- I send you warm nourishing rays of light.
- I send you contagious child-like giggles and unstoppable smiles.
- Sending you love and caring.
- Sending you magical lenses to sharpen your focus.
- I send you healing, detoxifying energy as your body benefits and heals from your weekend massage.
- Sending you oodles of energy noodles.
- I send you delicious moments to remove clutter from your life.
- Sending you quiet mornings to savor nature and listen to the musings of your heart.
- Sending you friendship to warm your heart and knowledge that you’re loved.
- I send you fireworks of inspiration.
- I send you calm and gentle breezes wafting love and joy around you.
- Sending you bursts of energy and focus.
- Sending you willing, loving hearts and hands to help you.
- Sending you perfect laser focus to follow your warm heart.
- I send you healing energy as you mend your heart and body.
- I send you calm, to remember love and caring.
- I send you billowing bubbles of joy.
- Sending you blankets of love to help you feel safe.
- I send you a path of petals on which to tread as you navigate life.
- I send you music to make your insides dance.
- Sending you music to fill your heart with warmth and comfort.
- Sending you the best of birthday wishes and some special binoculars for you to see all the puddles of goodness that follow you around and support you.
- Sending you sparkly confetti in celebration of your accomplishments today.
- Sending you bright colored paint for your life canvas.
- I send you permission to be exactly how you are today.
