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This is the first sunrise of the New Millennium.
By any other name --
Change Your Name
When Octavian inherited the
title Caesar from his uncle Julius he was an18 year old college student. As
the head of the Roman government he changed his name to Augustus. Women
frequently change their names when they get married. Kings change their
name frequently, when they come to power. Often choosing a historic name
for their people like Louis in France or Charles or Henry in England. As
you retire I am suggesting that you also change your name to acknowledge
the transition and as a symbol of your new perspective on life.
When I retired I decided to unofficially change my name to Octoberus. I
choose this name because I liked the roman sound to it and I wanted to have
a month named after me just like Julius and Augustus. I'm also working on a
revision of the calendar but that is a subject for another essay.
Having a new name is like a rebirth, you become a new person and you really
need to reevaluate all aspects of your life. Who are you? What do you
believe? What is your legacy? Name changing and the associated rebirth is
very personal, you don't need to tell anyone else. It might be something
that you start recording in a "secret" journal. As you go through
a rebirth assessment write down you ideas in the journal. (It could be a
computer journal.) When ideas are written down the process of writting
tends to clarify and define them. It also allows for iterations, updates,
corrections and generally improvements. There is no hurry to this process.
Carry an index card or piece of paper in you pocket and when an idea comes
to you make a note so that you will remember to include it in the journal.
I have a nagging feeling that I have forgotten the best ideas I ever
thought of; don't let this happen to you. I think this process should be
kept secret.
Even though I am recommending keeping journaling your evolving beliefs a
secret; I think it is a good idea seek other sources of information. Some
of the smartest humans that ever lived have recorded their ideas in
philosophy, religion and the pragmatic aspects of life. There might be
something there for you to think about. The Teaching Company has many great
lecture series that could be of assistance. There maybe discussion groups
somewhere that could be valuable but I haven't found them. I haven't
organized "religion" to be of much help. From my perspective most
churches don't really deal with generalized religion. They focus on their
denomination. If you find Ambrose send me an email.
Taking on a new name is like leaving your skin or shell behind. Don't take
a lot of useless baggage into retirement. Wipe the record clean! Forget the
mistakes that you might think you have made and start making new ones.
Chances are you have already rehashed the past enough. Retirement is about
your future. It is too important to let the past hold you back, go boldly
into the future.
If after going through this
process you decide to change you name to Skippy or start seeing yourself as
a "Dollar Menu Guy" I'll be happy to return the full cost of this
book.
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