I was reminded of something recently and as I am big on it, I thought I would go there again.  Besides this is my last full day as a 67 year old and I am expected to repeat myself really.  For me repetition of such a thing is a good for me.
It was the matter of all lives having purpose and meaning. My mum’s dad passed within six months of retiring, while my dad passed at 97.  The difference to me was a sense of purpose.  Mum’s dad had seemingly lived for work and could not see and had not panned anything beyond work.  Dad on the other hand, although he had been manager of a company, had things he wanted to do.  At 90 odd he was talking of learning the piano and even at 95 or so he delighted in cooking for us (and it was good).
The point for me is it does not matter what stage of life I am at, there is meaning and purpose for me. Sometimes it is like hide and seek, but it is there if I look for it.
I really feel for those ones who have been great athletes and cannot see life beyond their chosen sport.  I thought it was great listening to Alyssa Healy taking about retirement and how much she was looking forward to the future.
I take great solace in the fact that it is not about me being the best there is, but being the best I can be.  I was thinking of a runner.  It is possible they have say five things going for them.  Their build, hometown advantage, coach, when they started, talent.  Another may have a couple of things in their favour like build and coach. And I may just have build going for me.
It is generally unreasonable for me to expect to beat someone with a multitude of things in their favour, but it is perfectly reasonable for me to have an expectation of beating my personal best.
I genuinely think of myself as a winner if I do.  Mostly I make up the numbers but if I strive to be the best I can be.  I may not be on the podium, but I am a winner.

It is sorta nice having a few days off.  We had discussed doing some stuff this arvo but decided to include it in our trip out tomorrow.  That decision frees up the whole day.  There are things we intend doing around the home today so we can go ahead with those without thinking we may run out of steam.
Right now Merril is sitting near me working on her computer. I have a few things to do and stuff I want to catch up on.  I do have phone calls to make but need to remind myself it is still early. Businesses are not open and it is rude to call people too early.
I do admit with phone calls I avoid calling some people early afternoon as I know that is nanna nap time for some.  One guy told me I should not ring before 10am as the day does not start for him until that time.  Another guy said all morning was a no go area for him.  These things are duly noted and observed.
I really feel to comply as much as possible with the wishes and lifestyle of others. After all friends tend to be regarded as those who where possible take into account preferences rather than overriding them for perceived personal gain.
Anyway the day lies before us.  I do want to assemble a cabinet that we ordered from TEMU.  It is a display cabinet to house and display some of my stamp collection.  Rather than glass it contains Perspex. 
I have unpacked the lot and ensured all that it said it contained it did contain.   All good.  All that remains is assembly.  I find such things challenging but mostly rewarding.  It is never a good look to have pieces left over but I am confident that will not happen in this case.
Did I say confident?  Hopeful might be a better word.
Apart from that there are other things to do but they may or may not happen.  It is that sort of day.

"You can't make time go faster or success come sooner. The only thing you can control is the next action" says the latest James Clear email.
I am a great believer in seeing the goal I want to achieve and planning the steps to achieve the goal.  I agree the time frame for achievement is an unknown.  I do not know what tomorrow may bring.  It may mean delaying working on it while something else is done.  Though with life goals I do not think that any experience need be wasted or irrelevant.  At worst I reckon it is just something I failed to cover or plan for.
When a goal is embedded in my life it takes out the scenario of aiming for nothing. I do need to be on my guard that I do not let a circumstance rob me of my goal.  If I thought it was worth pursuing in the good times it is worth pursuing in the bad.  Perhaps even more so.  So often it is the activities on is used to that are worth falling back on while stock is taken.
To me there are two other scenario’s that happen in pursuit of my goal.  Slackness or what I desire which is activity leading to accomplishment.
The slackness is a personal battle I know I face, and I have a feeling it is common to many.  It is definitely not to be confused with taking a necessary break.  I personally reckon our culture is a work, work, work one and if anything, I battle with the ability to really relax. 
But it seems to me the extreme of slackness is to give up on the lot and allow myself to be carried, as I will not do anything for myself.  This sort of condition may be a cry for help for a while, but I do think there is a solution time rather than a forever time.
I think of a baby.  Babies are loved and doted over.  But it is expected a baby will grow out of babyhood and assume the next phase.  To remain a baby is not the norm.  For a person to remain totally dependant on its parents or another human being is not the norm.
Yet for all my slackness there is a working towards my goal.  I blow it easy but thankfully it is not an abandon the goal thing.
It just may take a little longer.  But I guess that is a part of the quote. I cannot make success come sooner.  Though I can make it come later than necessary.  But what is most important to me is that it comes sooner or later.