“Be willing to be a beginner
every single morning.” 
Meister Eckhart

Life is a constant process of starting over. We finish elementary school and begin high school. We graduate from high school and launch the journey into our college years. We earn a bachelor’s degree and either continue on for a master’s degree or enter the workforce. After gaining experience in one particular job, most people transition into something new. We might marry, have kids, retire from our chosen career, and have grandkids. This certainly isn’t the path for everyone, yet it is a fairly common example of a life lived. 

I will turn 70 in June. Following a lifetime of accepting new challenges, my retirement presented yet another opportunity to do so. I was warned by a number of those who had retired before me to be sure I had something to do in my retirement. I did some writing, then found myself back in the classroom during the pandemic. I did a little more writing, and found myself teaching an adult education creative writing class. Each of these opportunities required me to be a beginner again. 

A couple of days ago, I had one of those “Ah-ha” moments. As I looked at my calendar for 2024, I realized that I had bitten off more than I could chew. I’ve never been good at saying “No” when asked to do things. I’ve always been a people-pleaser. I like to make a positive difference in people’s lives. I enjoy meeting new friends. I have always been energized by being involved in a number of activities. I embrace the challenge of taking on new and different roles and tasks. Now, however, as I look 70 square in the eye (and I’m not saying I think 70 is old, because I don’t), I have come to the realization that my life needs a significant adjustment.

The word “reset” is a wonderful term. The verb is defined in this way: “to set, adjust, or fix in a new or different way.” The example provided in the dictionary was “to reset priorities.” 

As I reflected on commitments I’ve already made in 2024, and in light of my upcoming transition into my seventies, the word “reset” hit the nail on the head. This is precisely what I need to do in my life at this time — to acknowledge that time is precious, that family comes first, and that unnecessary distractions can be eliminated should one choose to do so. I have chosen to do so now.

My 2024 calendar tonight looks strikingly different than it did just two days ago. I’ve pushed the reset button in my life to allow me to adjust my priorities, to focus on what is truly important in my life at this time. While it was not easy for me to do, I have stepped back from a few activities to which I had previously committed. The most noticeable change in my life, however, is my departure from social media. While I have thoroughly enjoyed the years I’ve spent interacting with family, friends, and acquaintances on Facebook, I am no longer willing to spend the precious hours in my days scrolling through pages of information (or disinformation), much of which is irrelevant to me. Life is simply too short.

American writer, Carl Bard, offered these words of wisdom, which I have chosen to embrace: “Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.”

This is what I choose to do at this time in my life. Self-care is not selfish.