Humans are complex creatures. No one can really understand what they want. For example, many people always talk about the day they will retire from their work. They look forward to it and ready to enjoy the “freedom”. Well and good if it were true. There are many who are not ready for retirement. No, it is not for lack of finances. It is the sudden availability of time and “freedom” that many cannot cope with. A sudden sense of lostness occurs, though it will be soon overcome. At these times, there are many grumbling about not knowing what to do, very bored and so on.

What is worse is the loss of identity, especially so for those who holds high position in their working life. All of a sudden, you are a nobody to many who once tries to pander to your every need. You may expect them to give you the same respect. Well, wake up and face reality, they won’t. Thank God if they still do. Do not think, even for a minute, that you deserve the respect or admiration. You will be sorely disappointed.

The way to prepare for the increase of time available is to prepare early for a “second career.” No, this is not another job. It is something that you have always wanted to do but pushed back because of lack of time. Examples of which would be learning a musical instrument, painting or even cooking. You now have time to use to pursue your interest(s). Do it, prepare for it. For me, I am preparing to be a certified fitness personal trainer to help people rehabilitate after recovering from an illness like stroke. So, I take up a course in my free time to achieve that.

As for the loss of identity, Jesus taught us to deny ourselves. When I practice denying myself now, I should be quite ready by the time I retire. As Mike Tyson had commented: “When I think of myself as a nobody, I do not get offended. I get offended when I think that I am somebody.” Knowing that you are important in God’s eyes is enough. We do not need the praise of man. We can then live with true freedom.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

人是复杂的活物。没有人可以真正明白他们要的是什么。例如，很多人都谈关于他们从工作岗位退下来的那日子。他们期望那日的来到和预备好享受“自由”。如果那是如所期望的就好。很多人还没有预备好退休。这不是在经济上不足。这是很多人突然之间无法适应多余的时间和“自由”。这是有一种突然不明的失去感萌现，虽然很快会克服它。在这时候，很多人就会埋怨不知道要做什么，烦闷等。

更糟糕是特别那些在职业生涯中坐拥高职身份的失去。顿时间，你在那些曾经凡事迎合你一切需求的人面前成为泛泛之辈。你可能还期望他们能够给与你一样的敬重。你醒过来面对现实，他们不会的。感谢神如果还如此作。你不要想，那怕是一分钟，你觉得自己是值得人对你的敬重或是敬佩。你会全然的失望。

最好的方式来面对时间的增加是尽早对第二职业的准备。不是，这不是另一个工作。这是你因着时间的不够一直拖延想要作的事。这可能是你要学习某一个乐器，画画或许是厨艺。你现在可以用你的时间来追求这些兴趣爱好。勇敢地踏步前进，预备好面对它。至于我，我正在准备成为一个有执照的个人体能训练者来帮助那些从疾病，如中风，中康复的人。因着如此，我用空闲的时间参加一个课程来达成之。

至于身份的失去，耶稣教导我们要舍己。当我现在操练舍己的时候，我应该可以在退休前做好准备。正如迈克泰森所说的，“当我想到我谁也不是的时候，我不会被冒犯。我被冒犯是因为我觉得我是某人。”你要知道你在上帝的眼中看为重要就已经足够。我们不需要人的赞赏。这样我们就可以用真正的自由活着。

上帝赐福,
在基督里服事的,

Barry Leong
（林忠彬传道翻译）