New Year’s Day: 2025

Another new year has begun. It’s been a quarter of a century since we thought the world might crash and burn because of an imagined massive world-wide computer glitch. But here we are now in 2025. We made it. We made it through that and many numerous tragedies and scares. Seems like someone (or someones) is hellbent on scaring us into subjection, or whatever. Regardless, we keep rising to the top. I believe God has his hand on ours. 

I am one who does a whole lot of reflecting at the end of the year. What went right? What went wrong? How did I spend my time? Could I have reacted better in difficult situations? Was I fair? Did I love enough? Did I serve others and God as I should have/ could have? 

There are some major key points that I am going to concentrate on this new year. Besides developing a closer relationship with God, and loving others more deeply and sincerely, these are my Top 10 priorities for 2025.

1. Focus on health and longevity.
2. Spend more time outdoors.
3. Learn from yesterday’s mistakes.
4. Be careful what I wish for. 
5. Lift all others above myself. 
6. Be kinder in word and deed.
7. Do not speak out of turn.
8. Listen carefully.
9. Disregard the need to be right.
10. Respect boundaries, mine own, and those of others.

You would think that as one ages most of these would be as natural as breathing. Maybe I am simply one who has to work harder at being more observant and attentive. 

None of what I listed above is unattainable. In fact, quite the contrary. They should be second nature. With practice and patience, they will be. Taking care of your health and being outdoors in nature have everything to do with, well…every aspect concerning your life. I know for a fact that they do. You see, I am the “yo-yo girl”. My highs and lows in life directly correspond with where I am health-wise. When I get off track, my world crashes. I tend to bring others down with me as I spin out of control. When I am taking care of myself as I should I’m on top of the world and my relationships are better. 

I am weighing the pros and cons of starting another blog solely based on my health journey. This might be just what I need to hold myself more accountable. You know, get out of my comfort zone. I pitched the idea to my youngest son last night to see if he would join me on this journey and help pen the blog. Others may benefit from the two of us sharing this journey with our very different viewpoints. Me being an older woman and him being a young man. This whole idea is only in the hmmmmm stage right now, although I started my journey today and will be journaling in case it goes to a blog at a later date.

As I reflect upon the close of 2024, my heart saddens that another year has begun without several beautiful people in it. Those whom I deeply loved throughout my life. Even Crystal, our dog, didn’t make it to 2025. Their absences make me want to love all the more those who are in my life today. There are blessings even in loss. 

I hope you have dreams and goals for a better quality of life in 2025. There is nothing wrong with starting fresh in the new year. It’s a perfect place to start. A new page in a new chapter in our life. Pen it wisely. Let your gratitude be known. Love like there’s no tomorrow. Dance in the rain. Or, in the kitchen. Sing out loud even if you don’t know the correct words. Let the sun shine on your face. Laugh until your sides split. Let others know how much you love them every single day. 

♥️

Andi