Walking the coastline this morning with Claudette, I mentioned to her that my brain was full. Too much stuff going on, too many ideas swirling around, and just too many things on my mind.

Somewhat predictably her response was, “So….what are you going to do about it?”

I mumbled something about walking my way through it and for the next two hours, I walked – in deep meditation, contemplation, and self-reflection.

It seems I’m entering into yet another “rolling mid-life crisis” where the question of “what’s next” refuses to go away. Every few years this question seems to rear its ugly/beautiful head, and does not go away until fully confronted.

What will be the next step, what path will I embark on in the not too distant future?

Though technically retired, I’m not into working in the garden, playing golf, watching tv, or just hanging out twiddling my thumbs.

I think about my 4 grandchildren daily. Two are here, just 30 minutes down the road. The other two are on the continent, at least two plane rides and 24 hours away. I miss them both terribly.

Yes, all have been raised around politics and civic engagement.

My oldest granddaughter, was asked as part of her second grade class project, “What would you do if you were the President?”

Her answer, “Be kind to people.”

Yep, that’s my little girl talking.

When I recently asked my 8 year old grandson about his plans for the future. A paleontologist is what he said. He wants to be a paleontologist.

“What about you Pop Pop?” he asked, “What do you want to do next?”

“I’m not sure boy, still thinking about that,” was my reply.

“Why don’t you be President again?” he said without hesitation.

My heart melted, I gave him a humongous hug, and then tried my best to explain to him a little bit about the roles I have actually played in politics and government over the years.

I assured him that we both could achieve anything we set our minds and hearts on if we were willing to do the work, stay focused, and never quit.

I think he was about 6 years old when he reminded me one day that “Hooser’s don’t quit”, so I know that’s one important lesson already embedded in his psyche.

Bottom line for me is I’m pretty happy with the space I occupy at the moment. I write. I work to educate, motivate, and collaborate with those interested in policy and politics as a path to make the world a better place.

But yes, I want to do more.

My working life started at around the age of 16. I’ve been a newspaper delivery boy, dishwasher, carnival worker, door-to-door fire-alarm and cookware sales person, finance company manager trainee, termite house tenter, Bose Rep., Royal Aloha Club time-share presenter, Open-Air-Pedicab driver, operating engineers local 3, Fun Factory manager, small business owner – carpet and window cleaner, Realtor, developer, magazine publisher, Councilmember, State Senator, State Director of Environmental Quality Control, Vice Chair of the Hawai’i Democratic Party, co-founder Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA), nonprofit Board member and volunteer for various orgs, and of course — son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and “uncle” to many.

But truthfully, while I take my daily walks, I’m thinking always there’s still new mountains left to climb, new lessons to be learned, and new opportunities to serve.

I read once that “10 years is a lifetime”. You can be an artist, a writer, an inventor, a lawyer, a whatever…for 10 years, then launch an entirely new one for the next 10 years.

I’m 71 years old, my health is good, I walk 5 miles daily, eat a mostly plant-based diet, and pound the water all day long. I wrote “Personal Reflections: Crossing bridges and walking about” describing how my health and walking journey first started.

So I’m thinking, I have at least three lifetimes yet to experience. On my bucket list is writing a book or two, being arrested (and promptly released) for (peaceful) civil disobedience, and getting a tattoo (probably the names of my grandchildren and maybe a dragon).

After that, who knows?

As I tell others – “Never say never, and always be ready”.

Mahalo to all…who are and have been part of this wonderful journey, and those also who are still yet to join me along the way…

Gary Hooser
Just call me tutu man