One Little Word – Zest, 2025

I keep thinking about the perfect word as my touchstone for 2025.  In the past, I’ve chosen: remember, purpose, and settle.  Those are important words, and they kept me set on a definite path the last three years.  This year, I searched for a word that would reflect who I am now at the beginning of 2025, at the precipice of my 69th year.  At first, the word devotion came to mind because I feel that I have devoted my life to children, poetry, and to my husband of 40 years. Devoted, committed, steadfast, and loyal – these are all words I’d use to describe myself and for which I am very proud.  I want to continue into my later years devoted to these things that I cherish.

But this year, I need something to bolster my spirit, something that can keep me going even through pain, anxiety, and uncertainty.  I don’t want to get stuck in the “what ifs” and become immobile.  I have seen so many older people become fearful and give up their dreams.  And I’ve seen others view the last years of their lives as a challenge, robustly venturing forward with new things to see and learn.  I want to approach 2025 in this way as a surprise seeker.

On a recent winter road trip, my husband reminded me that as we age we should not lose sight of small moments.  These moments what have made up our life together were not cookie cutter or stamped in stone.  No.  We were risk takers.  We were dreamers.  We don’t want to lose that spirit as we enter old age. In fact, my husband argued, it is reason to be more active, more willing to seek out beautiful places and do interesting things to nourish our spirits and live with zest. We want to face these things, as we have for forty years, with an intrepid, youthful spirit.  This is much easier to do when young, and takes much more forethought and resolve as we age.

So, I want to dedicate my 69th year, my last year in my 6th decade on this planet to living with ZEST! I want to keep that word top of mind as I face everyday occurrences and have the mindset of approaching all things I choose and must do with a sense of adventure.  I vow to keep that spark, that sense of surprise, that willingness to see things with new eyes wherever I go, whatever fate unfolds to me.  I know that this is no small undertaking. Staying fresh, upbeat, and positive takes commitment and must be done with clear intent. I feel, more than at any time I have in the past, that I possess the maturity and reflectiveness necessary to live life with adventurous zest.