“What a wonderful
thought it is that
some of the best days
of our lives haven’t
even happened yet.”
~ Anne Frank

I mentioned in yesterday’s blog post that there’s something about the last day of each calendar year that brings up a feeling of melancholy in me. It is equally true that there’s something about the first day of each calendar year that engenders a feeling of hope in me. I like to consider the word hope to be an acronym: Have Only Positive Expectations. Is this not the ideal way to begin each new chapter of our lives?

More than likely, we will all be confronted with challenging times and difficult situations at some point in this new year, but why worry about them now? Maybe they will materialize, but maybe they won’t. It seems that too many people deprive themselves of experiencing the joy of the present moment by worrying about the possible negative things which might arise in their lives at a later time.

I’m certainly not suggesting that we abandon essential responsibilities such as financial planning and long-term health. These are significant elements of being a mature adult. Responsible spending, eating, and behavior need not be swept aside in order to maintain positive expectations in our lives. What we need to sweep aside is unnecessary, unhealthy worry about our future and that of those we love. 

As we begin our journey through 2025, it is quite possible, as Anne Frank proposed, that “some of the best days of our lives haven’t even happened yet.” Give this some serious consideration. Will we allow ourselves to be open to these opportunities or will we be too preoccupied with fear of what might happen to even recognize them when they arise in our lives?

I’m 70 years old. I’m grateful to be 70. I’m totally at peace with being 70. Am I approaching the end of my life? Well, yes… but aren’t we all, despite our age? I used to think 70 was old. I have a very different perspective on 70 now. Knowing that there are no guarantees, I’m looking forward, with tremendous hope, to at least twenty more years of life. If I don’t last that long, so be it. While I am alive, though, I will continue to make an effort to live each day with positivity, gratitude, and hope.