Yes, this is the time to give it away.

Now that you realize no one from your old job is going to call and beg you to come back and fix things that fell apart the moment you left, this is the time to volunteer. Either you will do something completely idiotic (like making phone calls for a candidate to people who hang up on you if you're lucky) or incredibly rewarding, like walking homeless dogs at your local shelter. Where to start? how about here for animals: www.dosomething.org/actnow/actionguide/volunteer.Or, visit a homebound elder as my son does or take your proud therapy dog to see some kids with special needs as does my husband. Here's another good site www.nycservice.org/ that offers a cafeteria of choices from teaching New Yorkers how to ride a bike for the first time to rebuilding homes in the Rockaways.

Visit www.idealist.org for short or long-term stints ranging from Superstorm Sandy Response to Orphanage Volunteers in Africa. If you feel you would like to volunteer your hard-won executive skills honed in the business, government or non-profit world, explore the Executive Service Corps at www.escus.org/.  They provide affordable consulting services (that would be You) to non-profits. While you personally don't get paid, you do have the chance to help your community and keep your special skills up to speed at a high level.

Woody Allen said 80% of success in life is showing up. In volunteering, it's 100%. If you commit and then fall out--think of all those dogs, cats, elderly people and organizations who will be disappointed. Yes, sure it's guilt but don't you find that it works? and, on the other hand, nothing but nothing feels this good--well maybe a few things but this is not that kind of blog.

#retiredinnewyork
#seniorsvolunteer