This picture was taken at preschool screening. I remember the day well because I was so excited! Finally, the key I needed to unlock the possibilities of real school! I still have that kernel excitement at the start of each new school year or semester.

Another semester begins on Monday. This got me thinking about how often I’ve approached the start of a new school year or new semester.

For the past 33 1/2 years, I have been out of school for precisely nine months (not including summer breaks). I took a few months off between finishing my bachelor’s degree and starting my master’s degree program. For all of those years, I was either a student or teaching.

Some people will say that you should look at what you loved to do when you were really little to guide you in the present. No surprise, my favorite thing to do…