New beginnings

Suppose you have just retired, or are about to do so, and you want to try some new things in your life. These may be activities you have perhaps neglected or want to try for the first time. What will give you the confidence to even start?

A good question and one which the (now-hardly-ever-read) German sage Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was all over. He said; at least in an English translation; and I quote with freedom:

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back. Concerning all acts of initiative there is one elementary truth…..that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then…..all sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”

Or, in plain English: commit to a new path and see how the universe will come to your aid and surprise you.

And if it doesn’t work out?

Try something else.

Retirement: You won’t know what it is like until you get there.