Discovering a new journey after a long corporate career is terrific and rewarding. I am now enjoying being a successful background/featured background actor in movies, commercials, and music videos. My roles range from serious to light, and include business executive, compassionate medical/pastoral, school principal, band leader, Grandpa & family man, "mature" person, and general "everyman".With over 35 years of the technical side of theater arts as an avocation, it's great to be on the 'other side of the camera'. It is also great to be able to display that there is still a place for the "mature" person/role in preforming arts.The notes I wrote upon my corporate retirement a few years ago still hold true:A wise storyteller once said “A successful life is much more than financial or professional advancement, important as those things are at a certain stage” (J. Shekhawat – 12/2014). For me, the personal component of that life now takes precedence over the professional, as great as that was. The term “retirement” can be interpreted as an end or as a beginning. I choose to see it as a shift to something new and different. I am looking forward to enjoying all that path holds … projects there was never time to do, learning/trying new things, lots of time with the kids & grandkids around the country, cooking, civic & community involvement, whatever new adventures present themselves. For those who wish to read further, here are a few “key learnings” gleaned from over the years …• Do not ignore opportunities that come your way, but look at them closely and make a careful choice (not every opportunity is a good one); the further in life you go, the less chance there may be for a “do over”. You want to minimize the “I wish I would have …” moments.• It is never too early to start saving something, anything, on a regular basis for later in life; nothing beats the principal of ‘compounding’ over time; while primarily a financial principal, it hold for relationships and skills as well.• Duct Tape can fix anything. Beyond the actual truth of that statement, I encourage you to figure out what is the ‘duct tape’ for your life and keep it close.• Be careful … we tend to judge others by what they say, but want to be judged by what we think• There really is a Silver Lining in every situation, although you may need to look hard for it … or wait for it. • Be happyOff to new, exciting, different things.