Jain Spirit 2004 03 No 18

Author(s): Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 30

28 LIFESTYLE
RE-LIVE NOT RE-TIRE
SONAL SHAH DEMONSTRATES HOW RETIREMENT CAN BE
VERY MEANINGFUL AND JOYOUS
Ew
ver wondered what you would do when you retired? - Spend more time with your children and grandchildren, take up a new hobby or spend more time on an existing one, move to the countryside or a country with warmer climate, or just enjoy your freedom from work and take it easy? Well, there are some people who still do work in retirement(!) - charity work, that is. For some, retirement is a time to give back to the community, and what better way to do this than by devoting your time to charity work? In this way, they never retire as such. I interviewed two individuals who were doing precisely this. Anantbhai and Rajubhai have not let retirement make them inactive. It's quite the opposite actually - they are devoting their time and energy for the benefit of others, and doing it selflessly. Anantbhai is actively involved in a number of charities, namely Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Jain Spirit, Sense International, Farm Animal Sanctuary, Oshwal Association of the UK and Meghraj Charitable Foundation. He spends about 40% of his working time on actively helping charities.
Rajubhai also participates and contributes to various charities. His main interest is in arts - he does Chinese brush painting and passes on the proceeds of the sale of his works to various charities. Also, he has done voluntary work for a year at the British Museum in the Chinese section and for the last three years he has been working at the Victoria and Albert Museum in the Indian and South East Asian Department. Rajubhai also helps old people.
There are many of us who contemplate voluntary work in retirement, but do not quite know which charities to participate in. Anantbhai makes use of his contacts and the management skills he had developed over the past 30 years. Rajubhai, on the other hand, uses his hobby of art to contribute to charity. So, with voluntary work, there isn't a
natural path to choose based on your profession or hobbies - go on the path you feel most comfortable with, and one that you feel you will be able to contribute most to.
Furthermore, you get the opportunity to interact with people from all walks of life. There is much to be learned from spending time and getting to know others involved in charity work, both on the giving and the receiving end. Anantbhai recalls the Three Peaks Challenge that he recently took part in along with about 100 other people, raising money for three charities. For him
What makes one want to commit their time, energy and money to voluntary work? A recurring theme from my interviews is that there is enormous contentment in doing voluntary work. Many people have the this was one of the best voluntary activities desire to put something back into the he has ever undertaken, and he reminisces. community-something that will be useful "There was the sense of achievement (the and valued. Quotes I came across were: "I walk itself), and the creation of goodwill and get a great sense of fulfilment because togetherness amongst 100 people." Rajubhai giving one's time is even more valuable than talks of keeping company and shopping for donating money," or "I feel I am making his 94-year-old Chinese teacher, and some contribution to the department," and providing a weekly meal to a 90-year-old "Helping has been a tremendous joy and a man suffering from Parkinson's disease. He most satisfying experience." By helping reveals, "There is a Chinese saying that once others, you get a sense of accomplishment. you reach the age of 80 you are almost a saint, and when I visit these people I truly feel that I am with saints!"
Following in another family member's footsteps is often another reason. Enthusiasm about voluntary work can be surprisingly addictive and contagious. As Anantbhai says, "It was a wilful, conscious decision to follow in my father's footsteps to give time and money to the community." He adds, "My family is very happy, supportive and always gives me encouragement."
Some people are active and energetic and have the urge to find something to keep them engaged. Voluntary work is ideal as not only does it let you devote as much time as you want, but also gives you the opportunity to do something purposeful. When I posed the question about the advantages of involvement in charity work, the response I got was: "One is actually doing something." Also, as Rajubhai says, "Working in museums has broadened my knowledge of Indian and Chinese art." On this note it can be said that through retirement charity work, you can have the opportunity to enhance your skills and knowledge whilst engaged in valuable work.
Doing charity work is different from a previous job as there are no selfish personal goals, either monetary or otherwise. One develops a greater sense of humility and appreciates the virtues of voluntary work. Not being driven by money makes it easier to focus on the real issues and gain an understanding of the needs of the community. It encourages an unbiased and selfless approach to the work at hand. It is gratifying on both personal and spiritual levels. As with everything, there has to be a downside to doing charity work in retirement, right? Well, when I put this argument across, I found that there really are no major inconveniences. In fact, Anantbhai affirms that the worst thing is the realisation that there is still so much more to be done. Charity gives us a rare sense of purpose in life. His advice is: "Give your time and talent to the community it is so very rewarding."