“Samurai” friends give each other an active helping hand on the voyage down the river of life. They help each other to learn, grow and generally do better; and when things go wrong they help each other out of potholes and back on track…

Do you ever feel fine during the day, but as the shadows start to lengthen and tiredness creeps in, you notice your spirits flagging? And that evening you were looking forward to seems more like a mini-endurance test to cope with before you can go off to bed?

‘Learn a musical instrument’ is a piece of glib advice that’s often wheeled out to older people. But instruments are not all born equal, and choosing wisely will give you a head start in achieving your music-making desires. Would you like to while away hours…

Going on an organised retreat can be expensive and requires travel. To save both cash and time you can set up a retreat for yourself – and maybe a friend or two – and enjoy a relaxed time of self-nurturing without leaving home…

If the approach – or should that be onslaught? – of the festive season makes your heart sink, then here’s something to bear in mind: How you feel about Christmas depends largely on the perspective you choose to take – and note, I said ‘choose…’