When Eric Hoffer detailed his stages of living as intervals of about thirteen years, he stopped at the sixth which he identified as being either a philosopher or malcontent depending on how one saw their life for the first three score and five. I chose to label it Elder. He lived to eighty four, yet made no reference to a Stage 7, I call Enthusiast.

Having spent my thirteen Elder years as a "philosopher", I sensed a need for a new venture which begins each morning when I awake, realizing I have one more day to participate in life how ever I choose... within limits, of course.

My days are filled with working on this website plus all I can do to help others become better speakers while encouraging them to find their better way. What I do not know is whether it will continue another thirteen years to discover what's next.

How about you? Did you have an Elder state? If so I doubt it paralleled mine. Still I imagine you found ways to transcend the quest for financial gain, primarily, into one where participation was more important than material reward... or not. Enjoy.

Leading to Segue 8: Say What?