"A story has no beginning or end; arbitrarily one chooses that moment of experience from which to look back or from which to look ahead" The End of the Affair (1951)
To be an actor, not a victim; to align my life with thoughtful values; to have a few deep relationships; to appreciate beauty, humor and fun
Decent money, good adventure and great love all involve some risk, and probably some pain as well. Anything else is just bland.