Great advice here for sure. Yet while none of these ideas were especially new to me- as right as they are-, your expression of them was downright exciting, not just poignant.

Your phraseology is fantastic- from riding the bench til someone gives you permission to play to every toxic mudball hurled thickening our shield. Really good expressions here.

Leasing your life to your job- exactly right for too many. Finding your joy in the journey is right but love your expression of that as happiness not being at the bottom of a cracker jack box (hello Meatloaf) but something to snack on during the ride. The whole quote- really really good expressions.

I shall compete with who I was yesterday- tough competitor. Ha. Thanks so much.