And so it goes in retirement as it does in all of life. It isn’t what you plan. Tennessee Williams said that “success is blocked by concentrating on it and planning for it. Success is shy – it won’t come out while you’re watching.” Would I suggest that you head into retirement without thinking about what it means for you? Absolutely not.

Dig deep and find your passions. Sing. Dance. Work in local politics.

Try new things fearlessly. Ah – maybe this is where I should have put work on a political campaign. Seriously. Fearlessly.

Become an advocate for what you believe in. I coordinated a writing contest for homeless folk last year, a contest which began with writing workshops and ended with a closing ceremony which about 200 people attended. The top 11 writers – who had been homeless and struggling – stood in front of that audience and read their works, words describing their own lives and experiences. Amazing! I just finished a research paper on 21st Century learning, scanning all 10 Canadian provinces and 3 territories to see who was willing to risk moving from a 150 year-old model of education to one that would actually prepare young people for success/happiness in the world of the 21st century.

Become an ambassador for your dreams. Speak up whenever you can about things you think are important.

Take chances. A few weeks ago I was thinking that I’d like to have a dog again and submitted an application for a sweet-looking labradoodle puppy from a dog rescue place, an application that turned down because of my age. How’s that for rejection? Yes, turning 67 is just around the corner but I’m pretty sure that I don’t have one foot in the grave already … at least as sure as I am about anything.

The train is pulling into the station so I’ll say goodbye for now. Kobayashi Issa was an 18th century Japanese poet and Buddhist priest known for his haiku. Seems like a good way to end.

O snail
Climb Mt. Fuji
But slowly, slowly