Will I Live to 100?

The last few weeks I have been reading articles about Betty White.  She was a remarkable woman who missed living to the age of "100" by seventeen days.   

From everything I have read, she lived a remarkable life and lived it to the fullest.  Some of her famous quotes:

* "Realize how good life is while it's happening, because before you know it, it will be gone."

* "Accentuate the positive, not the negative."

* "Don't lie about your age."

* "First of all, keep busy and don't focus everything on you."

* "A sense of humor."

* "Don't lose your zest of life. Age doesn't define you."

I know I am not getting any younger and I am definitely aging.  When I look in the mirror, I notice my face and how that has changed.  I have a few more lines, wrinkles and spots.  My skin is beginning to sag. There are few gray hairs here and there.  My energy level to walk and ride my bike has changed.  I can still get out and do all of this.  Just not for the hours like I use to.  

So my question is "Will I make it to 100?"   

At the age of "68", I feel that I will.  My mom is "87".  She has some health issues, but she still has her mind and she is still moving around.  My dad died at the age of "61" due to his lifestyle of drinking and smoking.  I have surpassed my father's death age and I am striving to obtain my mom's age.

If I can be of sound mind and be in good health, I would like to live to "100!"  

The truth is no one knows when they will die.  The good Lord holds the keys of "Life & Death"!  Also, God knew before we were conceived, our date of birth and date of death.  Now that is very hard for me to conceive.  I live by the promises He has given me and I treasure each day.

I do try to practice all that Betty White lived by.  Our attitude makes a difference on how we treat life.  And what is "stress" like in your life?  Do you get upset over everything?  Or do you look at life and realize there are opportunities in everything, including when situations go a different direction than planned?

None of us are perfect, but we can "love" each day.

If I am going to live to "100" that means I have "32" more years of life.  How do I plan to live those years?  A lot can happen during that time.  I look at the past "32" years and the accomplishments, the places I have lived, new friends, new goals, places I have traveled, the deaths of family and friends and so much more.

My life is before me.  Matthew 6:34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things."  I will live each day to the fullest and do my best to make a difference.

Today is the first day of the rest of my life!

2022 - A Year of Possibilities!

As I woke up this morning in my warm, comfortable bed, I thought to myself "Happy New Year!"  A new year of possibilities!

It isn't only a new year, but it is a new day and a new month.  Am I ready to tackle all that today will bring?

As I peeked outside, it was so refreshing to see the white, fluffy snow.  This was the first snowfall for winter.  The past several months have been exceptionally dry with no snow.  Normally, the area has received at least two feet of snow by now.  No one has been upset over the the warmer temperatures and no precipitation.  Everyone has enjoyed walking, biking and hiking in the fabulous weather.  

With the snow, there are new possibilities, such as skiing, snowboarding, ice-skating, snowmobiling and so much more.  

So what are your new possibilities for the new year?  Possibilities are endless!  

Everyone is looking for hope, opportunities or for a circumstance to change.  We all probably have several items that we want to be different for 2022.  I am just asking you to think of one possibility you would like to change, or do and finish well.

Make yourself accountable.  Tell a relative and/or a friend about the change you want in your life or a project you want to complete.  By completing something, your whole demeanor changes.  You will look and you will feel different.  I know I do after I complete an assignment or project.

This is the year!  There are twelve exciting, unlived months that are before you.  How will you use those months?  What will be your attitude?  Will you do nothing or will you try something different?  

There are so many people that I know that gripe about their lives but they do nothing.  Are you unhappy with your job?  Are you looking for a job?  Have you always wanted to learn a new language?  Have you wanted to learn to sing or to paint?  Today is the day to say "I have twelve months to do this!"  Start today!

Don't be the person who will be sitting here a year from now griping because of a situation.  Be a person who is going to make a difference and who is willing to try.  

If anything you will have twelve months of enjoying new discoveries and learning what God wants to teach you.  Think of the new people you will come in contact with, the new words you will learn and the joy you will discover within yourself.

Psalm 103:5 - "Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."  

Isaiah 40:31 - "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wing like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

As the day is coming to an end and I look at the blue spruce tree covered with lights and snow, I know today is the beginning of new possibilities.

My new possibility is to finish the fiction novel I am writing!  This is the year!

New Possibilities!