Staying active

Living Room columnist Terry Ferdinand talks us through life before and after dreaded retirement:

"How do you feel when retirement looms?

A lot of our generation work hard all our lives to provide for the family. We work long hours so we can give that little bit extra to our children to give them a better start than we had.

Friends I know look upon retirement as the end of life. They worry about money. How will they live? Pay the bills? Fill in the time? These thoughts also crossed my mind.

I turned 60 and my wife Catherine forced me to take early retirement. I resisted at first‚ but her logic prevailed and reluctantly I made the break.

One year on and where does time go? Long lie ins‚ DIY‚ spending time with the grandkids?

No‚ that’s not how it is at all. Life has just begun!

I made the wonderful mistake of volunteering for our community radio. I knew nothing of radio‚ but now present my own folk show with live guests!

Age is not an issue. I co-host a live comedy show with three younger people aged 20 to 40.  They teach me and in turn learn from my life skills.

Every minute of every day is filled with new friends and learning new skills - editing music‚ pod casts‚ web design‚ presenting my folk show‚ photography... My wife is now a radio widow‚ but she is so proud of me!

What I am really trying to say is that there is more out there than just slipping into the arm chair with your pipe and slippers.

Don’t watch life‚ get out there and live it"

If you would like some more inspiration you can listen to Terry's show online at bishopfm.

Read more stories from Terry:

Computer disaster

An unforgettable day

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