What is something you want to achieve this year?

Throughout the month of January, WordPress is sending participating bloggers a writing prompt each day. It’s a way to find some creative inspiration and perhaps make connections with other bloggers. My entries in this blogging challenge will appear here under the tag #bloganuary.

I retired shortly after the pandemic began, and I’ve always kept a long list (in my head and often written down, as well) of things that I wanted to accomplish during retirement, when I imagined there would finally be enough time to work toward realizing my dreams. What I’m learning, though, is that living in hope of future accomplishments robs one of the joy of living in the current moment. It is depressing to live under the shadow of the question of how much time one might have left on earth, and whether it will be enough to get everything done. And besides, a long list of accomplishments will likely not bring much satisfaction in the waning moments of my life. If I find myself lying in some hospital bed approaching my final breaths, it will not be some list of achievements or awards that will comfort me, but rather the love and affection of those who have meant the most to me throughout my life–my beloved family and friends.

I have come to believe that the most important work of one’s life is to learn to love well. So if there is one thing I want to achieve this year, it is to cultivate the relationships in my life, and in doing so, to savor each day as the gift that it is, making the most of it in terms of learning how to love God and others.

Happy new year!