With retirement, the ‘now’ belongs to you
Published in The Hindu Open Page- January 26, 2025
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/everyday-happiness/article69104939.ece
H. Kalpana Rao
Retirement is the time to celebrate.
Yesterday, I met an acquaintance who assumed I was still employed. When she learned I was retired, she exclaimed, “Oh, I had no idea! How do you spend your time? Don’t you feel bored? Why don’t you consider finding a teaching position elsewhere?” Similar statements have been made by many friends in the past one year.
Well, yes, I am retired, but only from my official post. The time now is mine. No more preparing classes, no more sending countless requisitions of various kinds, no more stress from conducting tests or exams and evaluating them, no more late-night sessions finishing student projects, no more managing time, no more missing weekends due to academic work, no more rushing to meetings… oh, and much more. Looking back, while I did love the work, especially the passion for teaching, I believe the “now” belongs to me.
Now, I wake up every day with the feeling that there is magic in the air. I look out from my room window and see the water hen already bathing in the bowl of water on the ledge near the compound wall. I race upstairs to observe the beautiful sunrise and the clouds in various shades, mostly white but sometimes grey, black, orange, or golden when the sun rays paint them. After a brisk walk and exercise, I am greeted by my pet dogs, which express their joy at seeing me in the morning by jumping and licking me, pestering me for a morning treat. I go to the guest bedroom to find my pet cat meowing softly and racing downstairs for his morning biscuit. I stroll in my garden, wishing my plants a lovely morning… there’s the canna with its bright yellow bloom waving at me, the pink hibiscus smiling down with its pink hues, the red and pink oleanders with their cheerful blooms, and a little away, the fragrant night queen telling me that darkness is moving away.
Later in the day, as I work on my laptop, I see squirrels running up and down, not just on the trees but also on the window-sill. Simba, my cat, looks at them longingly. By lunchtime, crows, mynahs, babblers, crow hens, and others gather, waiting to take a dip in the freshly replenished water cauldron. Afternoons are for sitting and reading the unread books that have piled up in my personal library. An evening walk, watching children play cricket, football, and hockey in the playground near my house, enhances my sense of happiness and delight. The verve of the day is completed by sitting with my pets in the living room, watching television. After reading a few research articles and the opinion page of the newspaper and reflecting on that content, I go to bed satisfied and glad, having spent a stress-free, mentally active, and delightful day.
Occasionally, I break my routine by dining out or visiting the beach. My days are not just about relaxation and whiling away time. I do spend time in academic pursuits updating myself with what my scholars or students are doing, giving guest lectures, reading articles and books and writing different types of articles. I have a bucket list of things I want to accomplish in the next few years: authoring books, learning a foreign language, creating a podcast, developing my garden, decluttering the house, travelling, and more. In short, I am having so much fun that I am not sure if I want to look for another academic position. Personally, I think, happiness is not about holding onto anything forever but living a meaningful life that nourishes and nurtures our well-being and provides happiness for us