Going Back

I am reading a book at the moment called “Speeches that changed the World.”  The next speech is by Napoleon.  I have read ones by Lincoln and Jefferson.
Boy did they use long sentences.  My understanding was, “keep your sentences short.”  There are times when I make one sentence two.  These people knew no such constraint.  I need to make sure I keep my fluids up, and take rests, when I read their sentences.
I do like something I just read that Jefferson said.  I will paraphrase it.  He said “I shall often go wrong, through defect of judgement…..I ask your indulgence for my own errors, which will never be intentional, and your support against the errors of others, who may condemn what they would not if seen in all its parts.”  And with an election coming up, he said something that rings true with me. “…I have learnt to expect that it will rarely fall to the lot of imperfect man to retire from this station with the reputation and the favour which bring him into it.”  So often approval ratings for individuals fall.  There are exceptions, but they are just that, “exceptions.”
I have been thinking about “going back.”  Right now, there are a lot of doors open to me.  It is the same for Merril, with her retirement.  When they say “you can’t go back” I am sure they were talking about time.  That is true.  I can never have my time again.
For some things, there are legitimate reasons for wanting to go back.  It may be felt there is unfinished business.  Going back may be seen as a way to finish what was started.  Conversely it may be seen as a way to relive past glories.  It was good once, and reliving it is seen as a way to recapture it.  What also can happen, and it is rarely true, someone may see themselves as the only person for the job.  If I want it done right, I may as well do it myself. 
The trouble with this though is, there will come a day I could not go back even if I wanted to.  Besides, new people need to be given the chance.  No matter how good the training, there is no on the job training like being on the job.
Personally, I have been trying to decipher my motivations and decide what may be the best way for me.  There are many ways that are right, but one is righter.  I am sure righter is not a word, but it does convey what I am thinking.  I have known success in some roles (others may see it differently), but to me that does not make it an automatic “go there” place.
Right now, I am inclined to go down paths I have not been down before.  Certainly, the skills and experiences I have had, can enhance where I go, but I have no desire to have my life on repeat.  One thing I have learnt though is to never say never.