free bird

I am a Free Bird

My friend Chandu, who walks with me every morning, has been missing for the last one month.He took VRS around 5 years back from a Nationalized Bank,and living a nice cosy life with his wife, son,Bahu and grandchildren.


He went to Delhi for a month’s training.Seems some finance company, is hiring retired Govt Bankers, who are expierenced too, for a Desk job in Jaipur, for around 20,000 a month.Time 9 to 6, it’s a desk based job, and u are in charge of a team, which moves around town.


Chandu is a good listener, and a great shayair,so walking with him brushes up my blogs.Most of the credit of my blogs goes to him.He is my sounding board, and his inputs are precious.Seems he was getting bored sitting at home, as was asking me, what to do in life.


I asked him just one question.Are u financially comfortable,he said yes.Then why do u want to work, he said I am getting bored.Now it seems they have removed the Tata Sky connection too, as the grandson would waste time watching Cable.this means he too cant watch it, and hence he is bored.Plus the guy dosnt want to spend on a broadband like me, so cant blog and pass his time .


Even I am more or less retired, and I am financially comfortable.But I don’t feel bored, in fact I am having the best time of my life.I am answerable to no one in life,I can go wherever I want, blog, read, watch movies,go take a walk literally, and pick up the phone and talk to anyone for 1/- a minute, without feeling the pinch, if this is not heaven , then what is ?


Chandu and me have done our duties in life, slogged for more than 30 years,got children married, and fulfilled most of our duties, is it not the time to slow down, and take it easy.This is the time when u leave town, and go for a month anywhere, without having to call yr office to enquire what is happening.


There are people who say, we want to give quality time to our children, I say I have all the time in the world to make my life a quality life.So why go in again for work, when I have just managed to get free from it.Is work all there is to life ? Work means being tied by time to go to office, to have lunch etc.


I am a free bird today.I don’t have to tell anyone what I have to do.I can sit whole day and goof away, read blogs, listen to music while reading, having a nice cup of tea next to me,AC on,if this is not heaven what is my friend ?


And I am making a lot of Blogger Friends too.Yesterday I spoke to a new blogger and it was heaven.And next week I am going to meet quite a few new bloggers in Mumbai.


Chandu, man I pity u.You are bound to a yolk called Work..And I am a free Bird.


KAMAL MAHTANI

Kamalji...aapne toh mere dil ki baat bata di.

I have taken a break this year after 8 yrs of hectic schedule both at work and home. I am enjoying my leisure time thoroughly...though sometimes i feel bored as i am not a very social person and hence don't like to go for kitties etc.

Mornings i am at home doing all odd jobs, cooking etc. and reading the news paper at leisure. Afternoon i come to office with my husabnd and it is a great feeling to know that all the employees feel good when i am around as they have someone to talk to in case of any problem be it personal or professional...i come up with lot of ECAs. In the evenings i go for my spiritual healing. and late evening enjoy some TV and spend time with the family.

But for the past few days my husband is behind me to take up a job...which i don't need for financial purpose...but he feels i should spend a few hrs of quality time at work

But now i know i have company...i am not alone except that you are at a retiring age and i am not

Roopa.

Originally Posted by roopadadia

Kamalji...aapne toh mere dil ki baat bata di.

I have taken a break this year after 8 yrs of hectic schedule both at work and home. I am enjoying my leisure time thoroughly...though sometimes i feel bored as i am not a very social person and hence don't like to go for kitties etc.

Mornings i am at home doing all odd jobs, cooking etc. and reading the news paper at leisure. Afternoon i come to office with my husabnd and it is a great feeling to know that all the employees feel good when i am around as they have someone to talk to in case of any problem be it personal or professional...i come up with lot of ECAs. In the evenings i go for my spiritual healing. and late evening enjoy some TV and spend time with the family.

But for the past few days my husband is behind me to take up a job...which i don't need for financial purpose...but he feels i should spend a few hrs of quality time at work

But now i know i have company...i am not alone except that you are at a retiring age and i am not

Roopa.

Dear Roopa,

Even i retired at 50, which is not a retiring age.But i decided to slow down,and started to enjoy it.Thats 5 yrs back.so dont feel guilty.If u are financially comfortable, then relax and have fun.Learn a few new hobbies, music for example if that is what u like etc.

I have learnt blogging in retirement.HAHA.And i dont feel guilty at all.Regards.kamal

Thanks Kamalji...i actually don't feel guilty as my hands are full with different activities that i always wanted to do.

Nice to see Kamalji and Roopaji both enjoying the retired life............
What a housewife like me should say..............
whole life retirement.................no idea. But I keep myself busy with many many things...........and in that one is writting fbs..............
That was a great write up free bird.........I am happy with whatever I do, no one to pinpoint at you enjoying my life at the fullest.

Dear kamal M sir,
What you said is right.Work when you want to work,sleep when you want to sleep.We must allocate our time for everything.What you have decided is also right.Now you are a free bird.But still ,you are spending your time qualitatively.There you are!!
I often wonder why people fail to maintain a balance in life.They go either down or up.We must strike a balance between the two extremes.Either they are too workaholic or they are lazy.Life becomes easy if we have a neutralised approach towards it.
About your friend,in his house,the cable connection was temporarily disconnected for the sake of his grand son,a single person.I personally feel this is not needed because we must consider each and everybody in the house.We cannot take a decision without keeping in mind ,the requirements of each and every member in the family.This is what i personally feel.Because at the age of sixty or more,a person cannot have much diversions rather then televison,internet(which every one is not aware),temples etc.Please excuse me if i have stated anything wrong.

Thanks for sharing an enjoyable piece.
BC

Kamalji,
You had echoed the words of my grandpa, who said...".I am waiting for my retirement days and I won't work after that and will enjoy life...he is a Prinicipal in a Phy.Ed. college... we had quality time with him for sure...
As Aruna pointed out, do Housewives have any retirement....

sriniketan

Dear Kamal
Very well written blog.. so correctly said about Free Bird. It is my experience that retirement is not for all. My late father in law was a very good example. Even after he retired from active work he found a job at a shop where he had to go from 9 - 1 and then 4-8.. more like front manager kind of person. He was a complete peoples person so he loved to go there and meet so many new people.. and chat.. many of our relatives too stopped there for a chat and had tea wit his as it was a central shopping area.. My FIL would always get up early .. start the day chanting various religious verses.. then would have coffee.. come to the kitchen to help.. eat and leave.. Always drove a cycle.. till the day he died.. During his last few years, he took over kitchen completely.. since MIL had arthtris and could not cook.. he also went for a smaller part time job. I think his need was more to meet people . To me he lived a full life.. Whereas my father is retired. has his own routine and hobbies and visits his kids whenever he feels like it... So I know for sure retirement is not for all.. but if you can enjoy thats fine too:) Its good you have creative outlets!.. Have a nice one!

Hi Kamalji,

Some folks may not know how to spend their time after retirement. My dad's brother, a bachelor till his end, lived with us in India. His work life gave him no time to pursue any interests - that seems normal in most people's lives. After he retired, he simply did not understand what he should be doing with his time. He would always be eves dropping into the conversation between me and my cousin sister or between my cousin and my mother. Sometimes he would mis-understand things and he simply ruined his time. 2 years into retirement and he was a man with a muddled mind.

Atleast your friend will not be wasting his time, if he does not have any other interests. A small thing like going for a walk can change people's lives. They may meet someone of their age and make friends.

Glad to hear that you are busy with your hobbies and interests.

Dear kamalji,

good post..glad u are enjoying your freedom...I too always say that I value the freedom in my life the best...luckily have got it from both parents and hubby dear...I have worked when i wanted to..given it up when i had my kid..again took up a part time when she was grown up and now i find it would be imopossible to go back to a full time job so am enjoying myself with my cooking,trying out new recipes for DH and me,books,music,internet...and generally having a good time...I might not have had a great career but my life has been great ...touch wood...But not everybody has this laidback attitude..they have to be DOING something always...to each his own...but i feel very bad for grandparents who have to give up the cable and tv for their grandchildren who are suppossed to be studying...sad they dont have the freedom even in that age...isnt it ...
Mindi