Are you forever making resolutions? “I will diet as soon as this pound of bacon is gone. I will start exercising as soon as there is a sale on my favorite sneakers. I will only drink wine when I go out with friends, or talk with them on the phone, or text them…” All sorts of promises we make to ourselves with great expectations. Did you also make some for your milestone birthdays?

Tomorrow is one for me. I have not considered what the coming years, God willing, will bring. However, patients and friends have taught me how very clear the path becomes. Continued learning is a must, movement essential, staying strong critical. Focusing on family and friends a blessing.  I already witness a shift toward meditative spirituality, loving kindness, peaceful mindfulness. (My husband may say it will take me another ten years to achieve this).

What is obvious in this reverie is that I did not actually set goals as benchmarking the decades. My life evolved to embrace changes as a natural course with direction unfolding for me. I welcome you into reflection whatever your own circumstances because this concept is available to us all.

We are making changes, modifying behavior, moving, growing, achieving, conquering throughout our years. Battling cancer may have brought you or a loved one to a new place as well. Take Minnie. She is in for a check up. “Doc I am so happy to have a good visit after these past years. My family needs me”. She adds, “I am assuming care of my great grandchild. He is six months and cannot stay with his mother”. Now that is a real change in focus at 80 years! But Minnie has the courage and clarity to follow her heart and meet the need enthusiastically and unselfishly. She didn’t resolve to face a new life at this benchmark- it just happened.

With cancer and life, we really cannot plan out these milestones, but we can have faith that life is unfolding in a unique and amazing way for each of us, whatever the year, no matter the past challenges. The blessings still await.