Tommy says... "I believe that for my generation, if people were actually truthful with themselves and the rest of the world, retirement isn't crack up to be what it is, the achievement of business is the success in Life"

I agree with this, and I am struggling to apply it to myself. And Tommy, I want to flesh out the greater meaning of "achievement of business." It's very easy to interpret that as financial success, yet you, with your dedication to public service are also achieving business, just a different kind.

Perhaps for me, I am unsure what my calling is. For decades my career has been to make large corporations a tiny bit more efficient. While this is lucrative, it's hard for me to get excited about this for the coming decades. Yet, the idea of change—stepping into the unknown—is daunting. Still, the cost of not trying is becoming clearer. Finding my version of "achievement of business" seems less about the status quo and more about redefining success in a way that feels true.

We are in the airport waiting for our flight back to Seattle.

This past week has been wonderful. The New Years week has felt like hanging out with old friends, catching up, playing games, reconnecting. 

Owing to when we met in University, these friends were all born in 1970 and started our careers in Toronto in 1995. There are many similarities in the overall narratives. 

It feels like our lives are transitioning. For my friends who have kids, the last of their children are off to college or finding full time jobs. Our parents are aging. Some have passed away. Some need full time care. And some are making the best with the few years they have left.

Without saying the word “retirement” a few of us are thinking through our post-career life. We are considering jobs that have less stress, but still keep us active.