Don’t push the river.  It flows by itself is allegedly a Chinese proverb and only useful advice if you want to go in the same direction the river is moving.  It’s akin to don’t tilt at windmills.  Theoretically, it gets you nowhere. 

And then there’s what do you do if the river is fixing to tumble you over a waterfall smashing you on the rocks below?

Proverbs are not always worthy of heeding.

We have to go against the flow sometimes.  Or at least I do.   

I spent a lot of years just letting the river carry me to wherever.  I would make landfall and sojourn a while before letting the river take me somewhere else. 

I’m past that kind of random movement.  I’m still pretty hakuna matata, but I am often working against the river.  And it can be done. It takes strength and determination.  Going with the flow is often good advice, but sometimes not.  I’ve reached the age of mostly not. 

As I enter what is probably the last good 20-year segment of my life, I have an agenda.  Goals.  Things I want to accomplish.  This is contrary to my first 63 years.  Other than those first few years out of high school, I haven’t been very goal-directed. 

This is new behavior for me and I’m still getting my sea legs. 

Facebook memories tell me that four years ago I did my first, and only, cliff jump.   

I don’t know what possessed me.  It was Spain.  I was on a tour.  The young’uns were lining up to do it.  I found myself in line. There was going to be champagne later. Maybe I wanted something to toast to.   

Pure exhilaration after the fear disappeared.   

And it did disappear.  I was nervous, on the cliff’s edge. I was afraid with that first flex to jump but I leapt.   

And euphoria as I landed in the water. A chorus of “I did it” sang loudly in my head.  I did it. 

I loved that feeling.  I want more of it. Who knew I was an adrenaline junkie?  Surely not me. 

Going against the flow when the flow is mundane and simply leads to embalmed daily activities is not the future I want. Not for my swan song.  I want to create a wake in the water.  To leave an impression even if it lasts only a short while.