It's good to sit down and take the long view now and then. Sometimes there are too many things in the way to do that, but then a moment strikes when you can look out into the future. Looking out to the future helps you to differentiate between what really matters in life and what doesn't. As I look ahead ten years some of today's worries, concerns, and interests are inconsequential, however other worries, concerns, and interests will play a significant role in the the future. As my dad always said, "A little for today and a little for tomorrow." You don't want to live completely in the moment with no regard for the future, but you also don't want to miss the day because you are overly focused on tomorrow.
What will the next ten years of your life bring?
Of course the answers to this question will differ greatly dependent on your age, relationships, interests, and more, but when you take a moment to look ahead, we can all make a few predictions and wishes for the years ahead.
Will I be alive?
As you age, this becomes a central question. Will you be alive in ten years? It is a grim question, but a realistic one that points you in the direction of evaluating your health and what you can do to have the best possible health in the years ahead. Risky, unhealthy behavior hinders longevity while healthy, safe behaviors put you on a good path to a long life. Chances are I will be alive in ten years given my current age and health, and chances are that I'll lose a number of loved ones in the years ahead too. This reality makes me want to make time for the people I love--time to engage in healthy, positive, loving endeavor, the kind of endeavor that fills me with happiness and makes my life rich.
A healthy life
Like most people, as I look into the future, I want to make my journey ahead a healthy journey. As much as possible, I want to replace the less healthy activities, foods, and events with healthier activities, foods, and events. Good health generally spells greater happiness. As you age, health depends on staying on top of the issues that aging presents. This means getting those regular check-ups and doing what you have to do to keep your body, mind, and attitude as healthy and positive as possible.
Relationships
Positive relationships contribute to a good life today and into the future. Making time to build, nurture, and develop those relationships is critical to good living. As I think about this, I am thinking of the many relationships I enjoy and the kind of time I want to make for those relationships. I don't want to have regrets when people pass away, and I want to enjoy good times with the people I love and I want to be there for my friends, family, and members of the community when I can be of help. Further, one positive aspect of aging is that for most of us, we gain a great deal of compassion, empathy, acceptance, and open mindedness with regard to the many ways people choose to live their lives. With the exception of actions that outwardly harm and hurt others, there are many good choices to make in life, and the different paths people take serve to make life colorful and interesting if you're open to embracing that diversity.
Warm and welcoming
To build a life that is warm and welcoming for yourself and others, in my opinion, brings life great joy and peace. I want to think about how I'll build that kind of life in the days ahead.
Joyful adventures
I love a good adventure, and those good adventures bring me tremendous joy. I've told my own children that this is a decade of adventure for me, and I'll be planning and carrying out many healthy adventures great and small in the days ahead.
Contribution
I generally start each day with the question, What good will I do today? I like this question as it focuses me on the contributions great and small I am able to make. Throughout my life, I've been in positions where I am able to contribute to the greater good. I am grateful for this, and want to continue in this manner in ways that I can.
Advocacy
I don't want to live in a Trump world of ridicule, hate, violence, harm, hurt, and greed. I hate all that Donald Trump and his terrorist cronies stand for. They lack empathy, compassion, generosity, honesty, and care for humanity. The Trump's of the world set so many of on paths of discord, hate, no values, and less contribution to a better world. Trump championed ignorance, dishonesty, ridicule, exclusion, bigotry, violence, and all that ruins lives and divides people. I don't want to live in a world like that. Instead, I want to live in a world where people work for good living for themselves and others--a world that strives to reach the great equation of good living for all. I will continue to use my time and energy to advocate for that kind of world in the ways that I can. I look forward to learning more about this advocacy, and using what I have to promote good living everywhere that I can.
So as I think of the next ten years, my goals are quite simple. I want to live a simple life with few things. I want to adventure, build a warm and welcoming home, contribute, and both enjoy and develop positive relationships marked by empathy, compassion, acceptance, support, and joy. For many years when life was somewhat overly-busy with less time for the independence I enjoy today, I dreamed of being in the place I am in today, a place where I'll follow my mom's sage advice to "enjoy the stage you're in." There is great freedom in being in a place where your wants are few and your time is sufficient for the direction you desire. Onward.