In this thoughtful episode of Retirement Made To Order, Lee Gale explores the deeper reasons behind his passion for writing and how the process has helped him better understand both himself and others. Drawing on decades of experience as a probation officer, he reflects on the insights gained from listening to people’s personal stories and how writing can reveal thoughts, emotions, fears, and aspirations that often remain hidden beneath the surface. Lee discusses the value of self-reflection in retirement, the courage required to be emotionally honest, and the powerful role that journaling and personal writing can play in personal growth, healing, and self-awareness.
Lee Gale Gruen is a regular Podcast contributor for The Transitions Network. She is an actress, author, speaker, and blogger. She focuses on how retirees can customize their retirement to fit their own personalities, interests, and comfort level.
WEBSITE: https://leegalegruen.com
EMAIL: gowergulch@yahoo.com
BLOG: “Reinventing Yourself in Your Retirement Years”:https://leegalegruen.wordpress.com
BOOKS ON AMAZON.COM:
“Reinventing Yourself in Your Retirement Years: Find Joy, Excitement, and Purpose After You Retire” https://tinyurl.com/33x9vmcx
“Adventures with Dad: A Father and Daughter’s Journey Through a Senior Acting Class” https://tinyurl.com/5d3yycjw
Click to see Full Transcript
Lee Gale Gruen (00:01.176)
Hello, welcome or welcome back to my podcast, Retirement Made To Order. A friend commented once that in my writing, I seem to understand and express so much about human nature. And she wondered how I was able to do that. I told her that I had learned a lot about the human condition from my probation clients.
During the 37 years, I was a probation officer. They often revealed their deepest feelings to me, probably because I wasn’t part of their personal lives. And therefore, they felt safe in doing so. Those conversations helped me understand my own fears, joys, frailties, goals, desires, and other things.
I’ve always been introspective, and that’s probably why I was drawn to a job working intimately with people. It was only in my later years that I discovered that when I write, thoughts, feelings, and emotions spring forth that I didn’t even realize I had. Writing is an incredible process for revealing yourself to yourself. Even those who write fiction insert.
so much that is personal. That’s why therapists recommend their clients keep a journal. This applies also to us in our retirement years. Difficult feelings and emotions don’t magically fall away as we age. People are affected and controlled by them, even as seniors. We each think we’re unique, and we certainly are in some ways.
However, I believe that life’s processes are universal. Most of us have had the same experiences in one form or another. I’ve been asked why I reveal so much about myself in my writing. I had to think about that for a while, but here’s my answer. At this stage of my life, I’m trying to confront and overcome
Lee Gale Gruen (02:22.915)
the things that have controlled me for so many years. It is an act of courage for me to admit my personal shortcomings to the world rather than plastering on that exterior of total confidence that so many of us use as a wall to hide behind. If I can be honest about who I am, it diminishes the power that those feelings have over me.
It’s incredibly freeing. I have certainly used my blog as well as my published memoir, Adventures with Dad, A Father and Daughter’s Journey Through a Senior Acting Class to do the same. Finally, I want to help my fellow travelers on this planet if I can. It gives me satisfaction to give back to the community using the abilities that I possess.
So my motives aren’t totally altruistic. Are anyones? I get a payback by passing along my thoughts to others. You might try it too. I’m LeGail Gruen. I hope you’ll visit me again here on my podcast, Retirement Made To Order, hosted by the Transitions Network. I will be regularly posting new podcasts. Feel free to contact me.
If you want to comment on any of my podcasts, you’ll find my email address in the information that follows or in the description at the beginning of any of my podcasts, along with the links to my website, my blog, and my two books on Amazon.com. Goodbye for now.