When I was younger, failure was not an option. I'd bust a major artery to make it if there was a 5% chance of success. Now, I'm more accepting of falling short. I try not to blame it on old age, it's just something that nature gives you to make allowances for failure. When I retired recently, I made an extemporaneous speech before my colleagues. In that talk, I said that there comes a time when youth must be served and us older warriors must stand down. Passing the torch can be done gracefully and even the screw ups of youth, no matter how bad, can be recalled with some humor and some acceptance.
Very nice G. I agree. I don't know your age but I shall be 80 soon. I am the same person I always was and I am also different. Contradictory it seems but so is life. We are many things all at once and separately too. It just gets easier to accept as you get older. Why that is I'm not sure. Thank you for your very thoughtful and eloquent reply. A very good read m'dear! :)
Benedict Arnold 