Oh Captain my Captain. Roadmonkey was so brilliant. I know it was challenging and hard and not as profitable as you would have liked, but it changed the people that went on those trips for the better. Coming back from my first Vietnam trip in 2010, I was so much more at peace with myself than I had been ... maybe ever. You have made a difference in people's lives and not everyone can say that. I think your Aging with Strength Substack is another way to connect with people and make a difference on a personal level. Even reporting for the Times was a version of that and that's what really motivates you. That's the magic. Keep up the good work. Good post for this time of year!
John, I appreciate your sentiments very much. Roadmonkey did a lot of good things for people from opposite ends of the opportunity spectrum. I believe that and take a lot of satisfaction in that — regardless of how much revenue it generated (or didn't generate). I think, to your point, it does matter that I created it. In ways I don't think I fully understand yet. But don't get me started on quantum entanglement here....
I actually think the opposite. I think of my older self asking me 'who are you becoming?" Who I wanted to be when I was younger is no longer something I aspire for. Life experiences and values have changed and evolved with age.
I love this post Paul! It’s a reminder for me to slow down and really think about what I want my life to be in this third chapter. Happy Holidays to you and your readers.
Lauren, I appreciate you. Thank you for being such a careful, engaged reader of, and supporter of, AGING with STRENGTH. May 2026 begin auspiciously and meet your expectations with, well, strength!
That reminds me of a song I really like, “Going back to my roots”.
As far as I’m concerned, I try and reconnect to what really mattered to me when I was young, not in terms of goals but in terms of values or ‘how I wanted to feel’ deep down. For instance, material and intellectual freedom or independence have always mattered a lot to me. But I don’t care for social recognition nor for worldly pursuits (not saying at all those are unworthy). Those don’t mean the same in terms of achievement now but I can always cultivate them, as in the word of Voltaire’s Candide, “We must cultivate our garden”.
Thanks for this. Completing my 8th decade and entering my 9th in 24 days, and fortunately in good physical and mental health, I keep asking myself how to best spend this last decade or perhaps longer based on family genetics. At least one answer has appeared!
Tom, I appreciate your comment. It's such an interesting question, how to spend this decade. I'm just wondering what your thoughts are on how to spend that time. If you don't mind me asking, I'd love to understand what the possibilities for you are. Travel? Cooking? A PhD in quantum mechanics?
Thanks. Road trip. Living in Florida, originally from MD, lived in NY where daughter is. So see some of the country and people I haven't seen in awhile..it's been I'm my head for awhile. Time to go! Remain healthy! I cook most days. Keep exercising. Gotta make the best of the healthy time that remains. Never know when it could end. Thanks for all you do. Happy New Year
Cara, you're welcome! That's some major praise, to prompt someone to write to themselves for a week. Imagine the different world we'd have now if everyone at least tried to do that. Keep going.
Oh Captain my Captain. Roadmonkey was so brilliant. I know it was challenging and hard and not as profitable as you would have liked, but it changed the people that went on those trips for the better. Coming back from my first Vietnam trip in 2010, I was so much more at peace with myself than I had been ... maybe ever. You have made a difference in people's lives and not everyone can say that. I think your Aging with Strength Substack is another way to connect with people and make a difference on a personal level. Even reporting for the Times was a version of that and that's what really motivates you. That's the magic. Keep up the good work. Good post for this time of year!
John, I appreciate your sentiments very much. Roadmonkey did a lot of good things for people from opposite ends of the opportunity spectrum. I believe that and take a lot of satisfaction in that — regardless of how much revenue it generated (or didn't generate). I think, to your point, it does matter that I created it. In ways I don't think I fully understand yet. But don't get me started on quantum entanglement here....
I actually think the opposite. I think of my older self asking me 'who are you becoming?" Who I wanted to be when I was younger is no longer something I aspire for. Life experiences and values have changed and evolved with age.
Erin, you make a great point. As long as one continues to challenge oneself with questions, the answers that come will be helpful and insightful.
I love this post Paul! It’s a reminder for me to slow down and really think about what I want my life to be in this third chapter. Happy Holidays to you and your readers.
Lauren, I appreciate you. Thank you for being such a careful, engaged reader of, and supporter of, AGING with STRENGTH. May 2026 begin auspiciously and meet your expectations with, well, strength!
Such a beautiful post, thank you, Paul!
That reminds me of a song I really like, “Going back to my roots”.
As far as I’m concerned, I try and reconnect to what really mattered to me when I was young, not in terms of goals but in terms of values or ‘how I wanted to feel’ deep down. For instance, material and intellectual freedom or independence have always mattered a lot to me. But I don’t care for social recognition nor for worldly pursuits (not saying at all those are unworthy). Those don’t mean the same in terms of achievement now but I can always cultivate them, as in the word of Voltaire’s Candide, “We must cultivate our garden”.
Thanks for this. Completing my 8th decade and entering my 9th in 24 days, and fortunately in good physical and mental health, I keep asking myself how to best spend this last decade or perhaps longer based on family genetics. At least one answer has appeared!
Tom, I appreciate your comment. It's such an interesting question, how to spend this decade. I'm just wondering what your thoughts are on how to spend that time. If you don't mind me asking, I'd love to understand what the possibilities for you are. Travel? Cooking? A PhD in quantum mechanics?
What's on the table for you?
And my apologies for voice dictating, and thus garbling, my initial response. I cleaned it up, so hopefully it makes better sense.
Thanks. Road trip. Living in Florida, originally from MD, lived in NY where daughter is. So see some of the country and people I haven't seen in awhile..it's been I'm my head for awhile. Time to go! Remain healthy! I cook most days. Keep exercising. Gotta make the best of the healthy time that remains. Never know when it could end. Thanks for all you do. Happy New Year
Seeing the world & connecting with family and friends is a lovely way to spend time. Congratulations on that, Tom. Happy new year to you.
Cool post, Paul. I’ve found myself lately wishing I knew then what I know now.
Pete, thank you for supporting AGING with STRENGTH and so thoughtfully engaged with the topics here.
re your comment: What kinds of things, if you care to share (and it's okay if you don't)?
Paul, I’d say it’s mostly relationships / connection - what it takes, what it means.
I adore inquiries and this post is stocked with great ones. Thank you for prompting me for a week of great journaling.
Cara, you're welcome! That's some major praise, to prompt someone to write to themselves for a week. Imagine the different world we'd have now if everyone at least tried to do that. Keep going.