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This has been the best summer ever, weather-wise, that I can remember! I hope you all enjoyed these gorgeous days. Now it's back to reality. For some of you, it will be back to work; for others, it may be a continuation of seeking the perfect thing for you to be doing in retirement. This month's issue will help you with that. You will also meet a fascinating gentleman who followed his passion after he retired from his regular job. His story is a true inspiration! We have five open slots for Autobiographies before the holiday season. These can be conducted in person or by phone. Give us a call! Happy September, Gail and Ed
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Deacon Tom Pluta
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Tom Pluta, Deacon, Environmentalist, Traveler, Humanitarian, and so much more spoke with us for over an hour, sincerely and humbly painting a picture of a man anyone would want to call "friend."
Our purpose is to find what people do when they retire so others can benefit from the choices available. Tom is an exception in that he is not retired in the traditional sense, and probably never will retire. He loves what he does!
Becoming a Deacon was evolutionary for Tom. He grew up in a large, extended Polish family. His mother was one of 12 children. Tom has two brothers and one sister, and all five generations (grandparents, parents, Tom, his children and grandchildren) share the same value system, although manifested in different ways.
For Tom, becoming a Deacon seemed to be the thing to do. He and his wife, Barbara, moved to Westfield in 1970 and became an integral part of Holy Trinity, a local Catholic Church in Westfield, N.J., which was a turning point in his life. Becoming a part of the Christian Family Movement and then becoming a Eucharistic Minister was the genesis of his more formalized Christian life.
As a child, Tom loved being on a farm in the summer and working in his own little garden. He humbly reported that even though his peppers were not world-class, he knew he always wanted to be a farmer. His sixth grade teacher listened to his stories about being on the farm in the summer and nicknamed him "Farmer Tom."
Following his agricultural interests, Tom graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in Plant Science. However, as a member of ROTC, he had an obligation to fulfill with the U.S. Army; namely, deployment. Fortunately, during his active duty service, he was sent to Germany where he lived for two years (one single and one married) and totally enjoyed the experience. His military obligations are probably what started his love of travel, which he and his wife, Barbara, have done extensively over the years.
Although he didn't work specifically with plants, Tom's first job was not totally unrelated to his college studies. He worked for the DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) for 13 years (1978-1992), developing and enforcing air pollution codes.
During this time, in 1985, Tom began his studies to become a Deacon and was finally ordained in 1992, the same year he left the DEP.
A tiny ad in the New York Times caught his attention about this same time. The World Environmental Center was looking for someone to do training for them-one of Tom's favorite activities. He was able to cobble together enough Polish to be understood by his interviewer, a former Polish soccer star, and got the job-one that required extensive traveling.
He traveled the Baltic States and Eastern Europe doing what he loves: organizing trips, getting consultants together, doing assessments, and, of course, training. He loved the "people" part, plus the variety and flexibility, and the ability to "be in charge."
When asked what gives him the greatest satisfaction, without hesitation he replied, "Working with people and being able to know what they want through their commitments." In addition, he loves seeing how different people live. After Hurricane Katrina, Tom was very generous with his time and energies joining other Christian volunteers in helping rebuild parts of Louisiana. And he is very generous with his time for those who need to rebuild parts of their lives.
From farmer, to environmentalist, to Deacon, to traveler, trainer, writer, and speaker, Tom has made a difference in the lives of many people through his position, his homilies, and his being. Every aspect of his life has been permeated by his deep religious beliefs. His easy-going, humble manner contrasts with his talent as a wordsmith, where he combines words with passion and relevance to deliver homilies people remember long after they have left the church.
Many years ago, Richard Cardinal Cushing said, "The bishops will govern the church, the priests will do all the work and the deacons will have all the fun." Tom makes his job look like fun!
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YOUR LEGACY RECORDED ON CD AND SOFT-COVER BOOK
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BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, THE HOLIDAYS WILL BE HERE. RESERVE YOUR APPOINTMENT FOR YOUR LEGACY INTERVIEW TODAY!
Robert Brooks, Ph.D. - Resilience, Self-Esteem, Motivation & Family Relationships The Stories Of Our Families: How Much Do We Truly Know?
* Do you know how your parents met?
* Do you know where your mother grew up?
* Do you know where your father grew up? * Do you know where some of your grandparents grew up? * Do you know the source of your name? * Do you know which person in the family you act most like? * Do you know some of the things that happened to your mom or dad when they were in school? * Do you know some of the jobs that your parents had when they were young?
These are a sample of the 20 questions that comprise the "Do You Know?" scale developed by Drs. Marshall Duke and Robyn Fivush, psychologists on the faculty of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. The full list of 20 questions may be found in a blog written by Duke for The Huffington Post titled "The Stories that Bind Us: What Are the Twenty Questions?" The link to the blog is: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marshall-p-duke/the-stories-that-bind-us-_b_2918975.html.
Let us record, transcribe, and professionally edit your Legacy.
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The Next Step in Finding Your Success in Retirement
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If you completed the last assignment related to words you like hearing about yourself, you are ready for this fun step-EEK!!
The Final Words
From those self-chosen words, put together a one-line epitaph that you would like to appear on your tombstone when you are 105 years old. Remember, this statement is a summary of the essence of your life, not today but in the future. Some examples are "She made a difference," or "The world is a better place because of John Doe," or "To know her is to love her," or "He made a difference." You can probably do a lot better than these examples. Be creative, be original, have fun with it.
Write your epitaph in your journal. Do not go to the next step until you have done this.
Epitaph
What many people do not realize is that we get in life what we consciously or unconsciously are looking for. We actually become what we think about. One of my favorite authors, Wayne Dyer, wrote in You'll See It When You Believe It, "Whatever you focus your thoughts on expands."
We act upon our thoughts which become our daily life experience. When you live and breathe prosperity with a belief that everything is in huge supply, and that we are all entitled to have all that we can, you start treating yourself and others in this fashion. "To him that hath, shall more be given." The only limits we have are those that we encourage with our belief in those limits.
The point is we must be conscious of what we think about all day long. If we constantly input negative thoughts, our lives will tend to be cast in a negative light. If, however, we continue to focus on positive thoughts, our lives will be lived in a positive manner.
We need to focus on what we wish for. We are like farmers who sow seeds each year. If tomatoes are planted, you cannot expect to get radishes. The Bible reminds us that what we sow, so shall we reap. We will get only what we plant. Your mind works in a similar fashion. The types of thoughts you plant in your mind are the types of thoughts you will have all day long.
You have a general impression of what you desire in life by the epitaph you have chosen. As we fine tune that general area, you will then have something to plant firmly in your mind.
Your ultimate goals will contain at least three benefits. Doing what you love to do each day will enable you to (1) wake up every morning excited about the day, (2) be happy doing what you are doing, and (3) have a real purpose in life. Excitement, happiness, and purpose all contribute to the feeling of success that you will experience.
Many years ago I found the following essay written by an 85-year old lady named Nadine Stair from Louisville, Kentucky. As many other people feel at the end of their years, Ms. Stair wishes she had lived her life differently.
If I Had My Life To Live Over by Nadine Stair
"I'd like to make more mistakes next time. I'd relax. I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would take more trips. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.
You see, I'm one of those people who live sensible and sanely hour after hour, day after day. Oh I've had my moments, and if I had it to do over again, I'd have more of them. In fact, I'd try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another doing what I love doing, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. I've been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat, and a parachute. If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have. If I have my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies, and I would do what I love doing every day of my life."
-Nadine Stair
The point is you want to be able to live the life you want to lead in your retirement years and not look back in your old age and say, "I wish I had done something in life that made a difference." This is your chance to discover what that something is.
Your Obituary
Before you begin the inventory of your life, take a block of time and
write the obituary of the life you would like to have appear in the newspapers when you pass away from natural causes at the ripe old age of 105. Let your imagination soar. Be the person you want to be, even if you are not sure what that is. If you secretly have harbored a dream of being an actor, a writer, an artist, a musician, singer, dancer, housewife, doctor, store owner, scientist, whatever, write it down. It is never too late. Nothing is impossible.
Write about what you desire to have in your life from this point onward. Remember, your future is to be as you want it to be - no limitations. You can certainly include any past achievements, if you so desire. The point is, however, to make this the person you would secretly dream about or wish to be.
Your Turn
Now it's your turn. Write your obituary as you would like it to appear when you reach 105 years old. If you can believe what you write, you are halfway there.
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| QUOTES OF THE MONTH Article Headline |
Tread softly; breathe peacefully; laugh hysterically. -Nelson Mandela
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Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again. -Nelson Mandela
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- Average cost of a new house was $11,700
- Average monthly rent for an apartment was $88
- The "Andrea Doria" sinks off the coast of Nantucket
- Dr. Albert Sabin develops an oral vaccine for Polio
- "Marty" is named Best Picture at the Academy Awards
- Elvis Presley releases his first hit record, "Heartbreak Hotel"
- GE introduces the first "Snooze Alarm" clock
- Video Tape is first demonstrated in Chicago by Ampex
- By a joint resolution of Congress.."In God We Trust" becomes the U.S. National Motto
- Don Larsen of the New York Yankees pitches the only perfect game in baseball World Series
| SEE ANSWER IN NEXT BLOCK
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TAKE A BREAK AND LAUGH ABOUT IT.....
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Sample Retiree Business Cards
* I'm retired - You're not! nah-nah-nah...
* Retired, and spending my kid's inheritance!!
* I'm retired; not expired!
* Good-bye tension; hello pension!
* I'm retired (this is as dressed up as I get!)
* The Legend has retired!
* This is the oldest I've ever been!
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The answer to "Can You Name the Year" is 1956
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Profit From Your Passion - a thirty-day E-course
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Rightsizing Your Life
|  Need help lightening your load? Call Ellen; she is incredible! She will help make your home attractive for you and for your family, even for perspective buyers if you're thinking of selling!! With her background in psychology, she is the perfect one to help you not only clean out but also "handle" it. She will greatly facilitate this transition in your life!!
Clean Slate Solutions LLC | 908-403-6217 | ellen@cleanslatesolutions.com | http://cleanslatesolutions.com
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Gail Cassidy, gail@coachability.com; (908) 654-5216
http://www.Retired-NextPhase.com
Ed Topar, edtopar@gmail.com |  |
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