Life is in the Details

I’m retired. A lot of people aren’t. But as different as my life is these days, it’s more the same. I recently reviewed a list of tasks I had developed leading up to and in preparation for my retirement – a ‘to do’ list, if you will, so that I would be well prepared when the day came. I had heard the reports (witnessed some with my own eyes) of occasions where it had not gone well for some. And in my case, there was more than a bit of skepticism.

“What?! I didn’t know pastors could do that! You’ll never retire.”  

One of the lines on that ‘to do’ list reads, ‘Retire Day-Timer’. I’m both old and old-school (pen & paper) so I have carried a physical calendar notebook for going on forty years. It has been a constant companion. I hesitate to tell you this, but I have often carried it to the bathroom with me, which may be a tad extreme, an indication that it could be a problem, do you think! I know it’s been a source of amusement to many people in my life who find my attachment comical, and how lost I suddenly am when I lose it (occasion or two). I’ve heard the words, “his whole life is in that book” more than once.

These types of tools are common of course in the lives of businesspeople and academics. Not so much with more blue-collar folks. I spent nearly ten years working with my hands before going back to school and into pastoral ministry. I did not use a Day-Timer in those days. But the realization that dawned on me after the initial shock of retirement wore off is this – it’s not just advantageous for work life, but for life.

A good memory seems to grace some more than others, but none of us can remember everything we need to, without some help. And I can confidently report it doesn’t improve with age, or with retirement. But this isn’t just about keeping track of appointments or tasks that need to be seen to (a ‘to do’ list). It’s everything, really. Pretty much any thought I have throughout the day (sometimes at night) that compels me to act in some way, I write it down. I’m not just talking about chores, though those responsibilities benefit greatly from my Day-Timer. It’s particularly significant with the people in my life. Here’s what I mean. There are people (family and friends) I want to connect with (or get back to), things I want to ask, things I want to say; you know – all kinds of things including those things that you will wish you would have said if you assume you have all the time in the world – those kind of things. Significant things, important things, though hardly ever urgent. I could go on. Perhaps you could to.

I’m adjusting to retirement. I’m navigating it. A year and a half in, it’s going well. I’m enjoying this season of my life. And I realize (I don’t know why this seems like an epiphany to me) that my day planner enables me to be a better person – more thoughtful, conscientious, and intentional, as well as faithful, as I seek to steward God’s gifts to me these days of my life. A big take-away in all this for me is that even the everyday kind of stuff is not insignificant at all. It’s the details that make up the big stuff of life. Life is in the details.  

I’m glad I went ahead last fall and did my annual order/purchase for the upcoming year, rather than retiring my Day-Timer (I had it written down to do). I don’t have as many responsibilities these days, but I still want to do well, even in retirement. Or perhaps, especially in retirement! Maybe now more than ever. For me it’s old school (the best). Maybe for you it’s digital. But whether it’s an electronic device or an antique like mine (the best), I commend the practice to you. Regardless of your work life or your life stage I can guarantee it will increase the quality of your life.