Ambrose,

I want to wish you a Happy Birthday!!

Life does many strange things to ones soul and mind. I turn 53 in October, but like you say in the scheme of things it is just a drop in the bucket. I am one of the oldest in the family, a patriarch. On my Father's side of the family I do not have any cousins left. On my Mother's side of 15 cousins 6 are left. With my siblings only 3 of us are left (out of 4). All died in their 40's it does tend to make one think of mortality especially when others in the family live to around 90.

As far as setting out in the goal of self employment I have to agree with what others have said who work for themselves. It is tough, but well worth it as long as you have the passion. DARE TO DREAM, DARE TO SUCCEED.

I would like to share the titles of a couple of books that are rather helpful in keeping the mind focused and how to work through the financial ups and downs. Making a Living Without a Job by Barbara J. Winter ISBN # 0-553-37165-7 and Creating Money by Sanaya Roman & Duane Packer ISBN # 0-915811-09-X.

Glad to hear that you are wanting to experience working for yourself, and please do not ever look back at this time of your life with regret.