For many people, their working years have been behind the scenes. They have enjoyed interacting and striving together with others to accomplish the mission of the company. They have usually not been the center of attention. As retirement approaches, the spotlight shifts directly on the "pending" retiree.
This may describe your situation. Coworkers, friends, and relatives all want to celebrate. The parties and gatherings seem overwhelming and stressful. Finding the right words to say at these times can be awkward. Thoughtful and appropriate retirement quotes fortify you and add color to any occasion.
'When one door closes, another one opens, but we often look so long and regretfully at the closed door that we fail to see the one that has opened for us.' ---Alexander Graham Bell
"I promise to keep on living as though I expected to live forever. Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years. People grow old only by deserting their ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up interest wrinkles the soul." --- Douglas MacArthur
Figuring out what to say
This is a key step. Spend time thinking about who and what has been important to you over the years. Write down your thoughts, listing what you appreciate about the people who had a special place in your life. Expressing retirement sentiments will be especially memorable to those you compliment.
There may have also been positive opportunities that you benefited from. It may have been a special assignment, project, or educational experience that started you toward success. Expressing gratefulness usually gives credit to others.
There have probably been negative experiences as well. These may open old wounds, but well chosen words could also be an opportunity for healing and goodwill. By putting a good spin on past problems, you can keep doors open instead of burning bridges.
Reflect on what you have learned over the years. There are many life lessons that reflect humility and show that you care enough to gently pass these on to others.
The following retirement quotes may be of value to you as you plan your special time.
Retirement quotes that honor others
My wife was a rock during the difficult years... She is a wise, loving, and caring companion. I owe her everything.
I want to thank Bob for all he has done for me. He has always been a loyal, trustworthy employee that I could lean on.
Ralph has been the best boss I could have asked for. He gave me opportunities beyond my abilities and provided the encouragement needed to succeed.
I am proud to have worked for this company all these years. The success we have experienced is directly related to a caring and dedication to doing things right.
Looking at the staff that I am leaving behind, I am confident that the company is in even better hands.
We have faced many trying times. Patience was lost and tempers flared. But I always knew that we were on the same team.
Retirement quotes about life
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. --- Eleanor Roosevelt
What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us. --- Ralph Waldo Emerson
It is never too late to be what you might have been. --- George Eliot
Retire from work, but not from life. --- M.K. Soni
The challenge of retirement is how to spend time without spending money. --- Author Unknown
Don't simply retire from something; have something to retire to. --- Harry Emerson Fosdick
Retirement kills more people than hard work ever did. --- Malcolm S. Forbes
Retirement quotes about the future
The challenge of retirement is how to spend time without spending money. --- Author Unknown
>There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want. --- Bill Watterson
Don't wait for retirement to be happy and really start living. Invariably, people who try this find out that they have waited much too long. -- Author Unknown
Nothing is more usual than the sight of old people who yearn for retirement: and nothing is so rare than those who have retired and do not regret it. ---Charles de Saint-Evremond
Preparation for old age should begin not later than one's teens. A life which is empty of purpose until 65 will not suddenly become filled on retirement. ---Dwight L. Moody
Funny retirement quotes
When a man retires, his wife gets twice the husband but only half the income. --- Chi Chi Rodriguez
There are some who start their retirement long before they stop working.--- Robert Half
When men reach their sixties and retire, they go to pieces. Women go right on cooking. --- Gail Sheehy
Retirement is when the living is easy and the payments are hard. --- Unknown
When you retire, you switch bosses - from the one who hired you to the one who married you.---Gene Perret
Retirement means no pressure, no stress, no heartache... unless you play golf. ---Gene Perret
I'm now as free as the breeze with roughly the same income.
Famous retirement quotes
The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off.---Abe Lemons
Don't think of retiring from the world until the world will be sorry that you retire. I hate a fellow whom pride or cowardice or laziness drive into a corner, and who does nothing when he is there but sit and growl. Let him come out as I do, and bark.---Samuel Johnson
When a man retires, his wife gets twice the husband but only half the income.---Chi Chi Rodriguez
Retirement is the ugliest word in the language.---Ernest Hemingway
Cessation of work is not accompanied by cessation of expenses.---Cato
Retirement quotes
can make your celebration more relaxing and satisfying.
