I imagine many blogs this month will have similar themes – change, looking forward, gratefulness, resolutions – all those things we think about as the new year dawns. When I was given this month’s assignment, honestly, I was not as excited as I usually am to write. For the most part, I’m a glass-half-full sort of individual and look at obstacles as new challenges. This month tripped me up. What else can I say that hasn’t been said numerous times before about embracing a new year? I’m not sure I have any new insights to share, and there are others who have far more expertise in resolution keeping, fitness, and goal-setting.
Maybe it’s because we’re entering a new decade, but I’m simultaneously happy and a bit sad to enter 2020. While visiting with our center members this year, I’ve had the tremendous joy of hearing so many great stories. Hearing them and learning about so many of our friends makes me appreciate each day (even the difficult ones), but I also have a realization of how quickly time passes. It’s 2020 and I know in the blink of an eye this year, too, will fly by. I have so much more to do, so many more stories I want to hear, and so much more I want to learn.
Our lifelong learning centers teach everything from stained glass to voice and music. How else might they engage older adults and how might we serve this community and address genuine needs? With one-third of the population over 65 challenged with food insecurity and/or housing, how do we partner with others to truly address these issues for every older adult across Middle Tennessee?
The lesson I learned from 2019 is this: you cannot finish it all in one day. I’ll admit in some ways I wasn’t happy to see last year-end. I didn’t feel like I accomplished all I needed to do or crossed everything off my list. The good news is 2020 is here. While I have no doubt this year will move just as quickly, my pace will match it. I will embrace the new year with excitement and gratitude ready to listen, learn, and check more items off my ever-growing to-do list.
Happy New Year to you!
Sallie
