RETIREMENT
A Reflcetion...
Retirement is best understood via storytelling; it transforms abstract numbers and dates into a living, breathing narrative that sums up a lifetime of dreams, struggles, and triumphs. Imagine each chapter of your life as a unique story—a tale of resilience during challenging times, of joy in small victories, and of growth in moments of quiet reflection. When you recount these experiences, retirement becomes less about an ending and more about unfolding a richly layered narrative where past lessons illuminate the horizon of new beginnings.
In sharing these stories, you not only document your transformation but also inspire generations to come. Each retelling breathes life into the idea that our efforts, hopes, and lessons are the seeds planted long ago—seeds that now blossom into a harvest of freedom, community, and inner fulfilment. Like a cherished story passed down from one narrator to the next, retirement is a living anthology of the moments that made you who you are, inviting you to write the next, perhaps most rewarding, chapter of your life’s journey.
1. The Starter - "The Early Bird"
Jaymo is a 25-year-old software developer, full of life. He lives pay day to pay day. He believes retirement is subject for old folks and something to worry about “later.” One day, over a drink with his mentor a certain Mr. Oti, a retired engineer, shares a sobering experience. “I wish I started saving in my early 20s instead of when I hit the 40s.” He went on to describe how he struggled with some expenses and the rising costs of living, and how the little savings he had were running out.
As Jaymo listened, he began seeing a future version of himself in his mentor’s experience! “What if I go on and copy what you went through—including waiting for so long?” Mr. Oti cautioned, you may admire how I worked but please young man, don’t copy my lifestyle outside the workplace. He went on to show Jaymo an investment calculator introduced to him by Mr. Money POT. Together they looked at the wonder that compound interest is known for. Just by sampling a few scenarios, Jaymo could now see the sense of being an early bird in retirement planning. He realized that by the time he would be 50, his savings would have quadrupled!
The most important step in retirement planning is the starting point. The faster Jaymo comes to a decision, the quicker his investments begin to multiply. He left that meeting with a different perspective: every small positive decision made today is a step toward securing his retirement.
2. The Builder
Jaymo, fresh from a financial planning session, is a buzz with new ideas. He has decided to invest and save aggressively. He’s even considering starting a s side hustle. He calls Sly an elderly colleague for a lunch date in hunt for some validation.
Intrigued, Sly accepts on condition that on the lunch date Mr. Money POT her adviser is enjoined.
At the table Sly poses: “You have decided to do what, now?” as she teases him. “Listen, young man. Starting is easy. The real trick? Sticking with it.”
Mr. Money POT, the level-headed adviser jumps into the conversation. Mr Money POT is an old friend of Sly, a practical adviser who looks at calculated risks rather than wild swings. He’s seen too many “starters” burn out. He listens carefully as Jaymo hypes his grand vision,
Mr. Money POT cuts in:
“Jaymo, I love your energy. However, here’s the thing—passion burns out especially if not built on solid ground. Let me help you structure this so you don’t tire along the way.”
Over desert, Mr. Money POT agrees to guide Jaymo through setting realistic goals. Form that time onwards he helped Jaymo break his plan into steps, teaching him that consistency beats intensity. You see, in the long game of wealth-building (retirement planning), patience is a priority. Sly watched approvingly—Jaymo was learning.
Fast forward 20 years later. Sly is thriving in her retirement and as she does some consultancy here and there. Jaymo, now a Techie, meets Mr. Money POT once again with a grin on his face, He says:
“You were right. Starting was fun. I realised the real work begins to show in the building phase, thank you for the challenge and I cannot wait to join Sly in happy retirement.”
Mr. Money POT just raised his glass. “Cheers, to Happy retirement son.”
3. The Harvester
Retirement is a season where every deliberate choice, every instance of tenacity, and every act of self-care come together to create a rich tapestry of satisfaction. It is the profound harvest-time of a lifetime. During this time of introspection, the saying “you reap what you sow” becomes a profoundly personal reality. Every sacrifice, every late-night shift, and even the silent times of self-doubt have created a rich soil that has allowed the abundance of today to blossom with the hues of love, wisdom, and resiliency. Under the soft glow of a sunset that celebrates the journey and the progress inherent in every experience, the seeds planted over years of focused effort and sincere connections are beginning to mature.
In this evolving chapter, retirement is not a final destination but a new beginning—a time to embrace both the fruits of our labour and the endless opportunities to cultivate new dreams. The legacy of our past, imbued with every choice that led to this moment, becomes the guiding light for future explorations. It is a season where the harvest is celebrated not solely through material security but through the enriched relationships and inner peace that come from having lived intentionally. Here, every memory is a reminder that the beauty of life lies in its continuity, and the promise of tomorrow rests firmly in the quality of what we diligently cultivate today.
