“WILL you be agile or fragile?” That is the question asked by Dr Leahcim Semaj, psychologist, educator, management consultant, and social philosopher at a recent discussion on Preparing for, Designing, and Executing the 30 Years after Retirement.

He advised that “health and fitness is your single most important investment” and that this should begin from one’s earlier years. At age 75, he said, he still goes to the gym thrice weekly and exercises every day.

Dr Semaj said we should have six areas of focus: purpose, health and fitness, relationships, resources, growth, contribution and joy, the latter being “a critical part of life.”

He noted that the first Monday of retirement will be quite different for those who had made plans and those who had not. “You need to prepare and design your retirement because you don’t retire from life,” he explained.

In designing the life you want to live, you do not have to have rigid schedules, but you should review your bucket list and set times in which you would like to accomplish them.

He gave practical tips: Relocate if you live more than one hour away from a hospital, because after a heart attack there is ‘the golden hour’ in which early assistance can save your life, and if you live alone, three people should have your house key to give urgent assistance if needed.

He said that by 60, people have a problem finding jobs if they want to supplement their pensions, even though they should be the most sought after as they are experienced and qualified.

CCRP, a seniors advocacy organisation, has been successfully placing retirees in jobs, with companies noting the high calibre of resumes they receive from our members.

One business process outsourcing company ran a four-week campaign with CCRP to hire qualified seniors; we believe they discovered that seniors are more disciplined and not inclined to job-hop as do younger staffers.

Dr Semaj said research has shown that, “The longer you work, the longer you live.” The discussion noted the many opportunities to secure remote and contract jobs with the same companies from which you may have retired.

It was also said that retirees are the keepers of institutional history and culture, and as such ideal mentors for incoming personnel. He recommends a weekly rhythm — walking with friends, mentoring, and interacting with the community. He said retirees should make space for meaningful work, but leave space for freedom.

He also noted that personal reflection is needed to plan for the next five to 10 years. “What is the one thing you keep postponing?” he asked.

“Have repasts replaced reunions?” His reflection on this latter question went viral on Facebook, as commentators thought of the many missed opportunities to visit relatives and close friends.

Dr Semaj encouraged us to visit www.thesemajmindspa.com for more advice on this important stage of our lives.

CONGRATS PAT REID-WAUGH

Patricia Reid-Waugh was not present for our discussion because she was collecting a Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) medal in visual arts for her painting,

The Purple-Headed Mountain. The retired chartered accountant and financial director for Nevis is a retirement coach and CCRP board director.

She is a poster child for retirement, having written two books on the subject, taking up violin, and now painting lessons. She wrote, “In January 2025, I started painting classes with a private tutor, Mrs Hope Wheeler.

Honestly, I didn’t know how it would turn out. I just wanted to challenge myself at something I had failed miserably at as a 13-year-old schoolgirl.

I produced my first piece, Breakfast, in May 2025 and entered it in the 2025 JCDC Visual Arts Competition. It advanced to the third round of adjudication but did not win a medal.

“This year I got more audacious and entered two pieces. Today, I am incredibly proud to receive a bronze medal at the 2026 JCDC Visual Arts Competition Awards Ceremony for my painting, The Purple Headed Mountain…How’s that for a 78-year-old newbie!”

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CHALLENGES

Last month, supervising engineer 58-year-old Clifton Archibald James, died after he was hit by a reversing truck while working on the Montego Bay Perimeter Road project in St James.

Last Friday, construction worker 58-year-old Everton Campbell died at a site at the Montego Bay Airport after being hit by a falling part of a crane.

We have heard of past tragedies on construction sites and wonder if increased demands are resulting in lack of preparedness.

Angelica Baker outlined aspects of the proposed Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act (designed to replace the Factories Act of 1943) in a December 2025 publication, noting, “Core principles: shared responsibility between employers and employees; cooperation and communication on OSH issues; establishment of OSH structures in workplace.”

The Act aims to secure the health and safety of employees; applies to all employers, workers, and workspaces; includes all sectors; and ensures that health and safety standards are uniformly enforced. We need closer monitoring to prevent further tragedies.

FAREWELL, SPECIAL JAMAICANS

We said farewell to Anne Marie Tulloch Thomas and Reverend Venice Guntley- McKenzie over the weekend and were saddened to hear of the passing of veteran journalist and producer Brian St Juste.

Tulloch Thomas served the Stella Maris Church as Church Council member and treasurer and the Stella Maris Foundation as board director, with financial oversight of the organisation.

The retired Scotiabank manager assumed these duties not only full-time, but also overtime, in keeping with the motto, “Doing what love requires”. She was also lauded by her family for nurturing and guiding them, even as she served the wider community.

Father Howard Thompson remarked on her involvement in prayer meetings at Grant’s Pen when she embraced the little ones. She was instrumental in the fund-raising and purchase of the foundation’s property which has seen hundreds graduate from the HEART/NSTA Trust programmes conducted there.

Dudley McLean, in his tribute to Rev Guntley-McKenzie noted, “She was the first woman to study at St Peter’s College, from 1962 to 1964… In 1968, she and Jean Forbes were ordained deaconesses and served as missionaries in Central Africa. In 1977, she was conditionally ordained deacon, and in 1984, was ordained priest in Canada by Bishop Lewis Samuel Garnsworthy after study at the Anglican Women’s Theological College.”

He wrote that she was “the first black woman and first Anglican woman commissioned as an Air Force chaplain in Canada”. In his tribute to Brian St Juste, Press Association of Jamaica President Tyrone Reid shared, “Brian’s career spanned more than three decades in film, television, and journalism.

He last served as managing Director of Timecode Productions Limited… where he oversaw broadcast coverage of major sporting and cultural events… He played a pivotal role in Jamaica’s democratic process, producing the televised debates for the Jamaica Debates Commission since 200…

He also served as president of the Jamaica Film Producers Association, advocating for stronger film policy and industry development.” What great examples these hard-working and generous Jamaicans have set. Our deepest sympathy to their families. May their souls rest in peace.

Jean Lowrie-Chin is an author and executive chair of PROComm, PRODEV, and CCRP.