Ourselves, Our Posterity

In this issue: Live Intentionally in 2025! This issue explores writing your vision & leveraging your unique strengths. Also, a Medicare update & preview of future issues.

It’s Never Too Late: Why Writing Your Vision Matters Now

“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, honorable, and compassionate—to make a difference by living well.”

This paraphrase of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s philosophy reminds us that life is about more than just existing—it’s about meaning, impact, and legacy.

If you live to 80, you’ll have experienced 29,220 days. While the clock begins ticking at birth, we are more aware now. Each of our days is made up of 86,400 fleeting seconds. The question is: How do you want to spend them?

You might wonder, “At this stage of life, why do I need a vision?” The answer is simple: a vision is not about reaching some distant goal; it’s about giving clarity and purpose to how you spend the time you have now. It’s about taking ownership of your days and aligning your actions with what matters most to you.

I’ll admit—I’m someone who needs structure to stay focused. My husband calls me “Side-track Sally” because I can’t leave the house without first tending to a dozen tasks. But I’ve learned that having my vision in writing keeps me organized and purposeful. It reminds me of the bigger picture as I encounter the distractions of daily life.

Whether you’ve never written a vision before or it’s been years since you revisited yours, now is the perfect time to put in writing how you want to invest the 525,600 minutes in a year. Your vision reflects who you are today and the legacy you want to leave behind.

This isn’t just about long-term planning—it’s about making the most of today. Start by imagining what your best life looks like now and putting it into words. Ready to begin? Let’s get started.

Six Simple Steps to Writing AND Implementing Your Vision

STEP 1 - FIND A QUIET PLACE

Go someplace where you can work without interruption. Turn off your phone and gather your supplies–a charged laptop or paper and pen.

STEP 2. - WRITE, WRITE, WRITE

Don’t stop to proofread. Don’t worry about grammar or organization. Include how you envision every aspect of your life because we don’t live life in compartments. Each area affects the other. I used the categories listed in The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington: financial, spiritual, mental, relational, personal, professional, and physical. Address each of these parts of your life specifically. Remember, you are writing what comes to mind. Don’t stop to second-guess, doubt, reflect or edit.

• What is your overall vision for your life?

• What are the motivations behind your vision? Why is this vision important to you?

• What will you need to give up to live this vision?

• How will your life change?

• Who in your life will be affected by your vision (these are the people you must share your vision with)?

• What is the vision of your work life?

• What character traits do you want to convey?

STEP 3 - SET IT ASIDE

Once you have completed your draft, put your vision away for a day or two. When you return to it, read it aloud and tweak it. I prefer a hard copy.

STEP 4 - ORGANIZE

Now, organize your vision into these categories:

• Financial

• Spiritual

• Mental

• Relational

• Personal

• Professional

• Physical

Some ideas may fall into more than one category. Go ahead and list them under each relevant category. For example, I want to be helpful, respected, humble, and faithful, which falls under my personal, professional, relational, and spiritual sections.

STEP 5 - SHARE

I encourage you to share your vision with your life partner. This step is especially important, as they may be directly affected by the life you envision. Sharing your vision can feel intimidating, but it’s also an opportunity to deepen your relationship and spark meaningful conversations. You may even discover mutual hopes and goals that can strengthen your bond.

If you live alone, consider sharing your vision with a trusted friend or family member—someone who knows you well and can provide thoughtful feedback without a vested interest in your decisions.

Print a hard copy of your vision and allow them to read it before your discussion. Be clear about what you need from them: their thoughtful consideration, questions, suggestions, and concerns.

Finally, be prepared for compromise, feedback, and even pushback. These conversations help refine your vision and ensure it aligns with your goals and the relationships that matter most to you.

I also encourage you to share your vision with someone who can provide wise counsel but has no vested interest in the outcome. Be willing to hear hard truths.

If you are a member of a Bible study or other social group, each person writing their vision would be a great way to create an even deeper bond and to have accountability partners.

STEP 6 - REFINE AND DISPLAY

After reflecting on the feedback, refine your vision. Print it. Post it (not on social media). Display it where you will see it daily. Read it every morning. Stay focused. Refine it more as needed. If you do make changes, consult with your life partner. You need their buy-in, but again, be willing to listen to their concerns and suggestions.

Make Your Vision Reality

Living with intention is not just a gift for yourself; it's a gift for your loved ones. For your vision to be effective in helping you live your priorities, it must be written and revisited.

Now that you have your written vision. It’s time to do your best to live it. There will be moments and days when you’ll miss your mark, and that’s o.k. Yet, the simple habit of reading your vision each morning is an effective antidote to discouragement, wandering, and dissatisfaction.

You're invited to join the private Facebook Group 55+ Growth Mindset Community for more content on aging well, living better and leaving your best legacy.

LEGO Your Limits and Imagine the Possibilities

Did you know that six 2x4 LEGO bricks can be combined in an astonishing 915,103,765 different ways? That's the power of creativity and combinations!

Now, take a moment to reflect on yourself. Write down your top six talents, gifts, traits, or skills. What makes you unique? When you begin to combine them—just like those LEGO bricks—your potential for growth becomes truly limitless.

Make 2025 the year you:

• Unlock new possibilities.

• Build on your strengths.

• Grow in unexpected directions.

Your unique combination is your superpower. The time to embrace it is now!

Let’s make 2025 a year of transformation, growth, and living out our potential.

Big Changes Coming to Medicare Part D in 2025!

Starting January 1, 2025, new updates to Medicare's prescription drug coverage could change how seniors pay for medications:

Out-of-Pocket Cap: Annual out-of-pocket drug costs will be capped at $2,000, helping seniors save significantly on their prescriptions.

No More “Donut Hole”: The coverage gap — where enrollees used to pay a higher percentage of drug costs after reaching a certain limit — is finally closing. Cost-sharing will now be consistent until the $2,000 cap is reached.

Payment Flexibility: You can spread out high medication costs across the year, easing upfront financial burdens.

Here's the link to the full AARP article.

What’s Ahead in January 2025

The best time to start living with intention was yesterday. The second-best time is today.

The next few articles reflect how we typically approach the new year: reflecting, evaluating, decluttering, setting goals, and taking action. Here’s a preview.

January 7 - 35,000 Decisions? The Truth About Decision-Making as We Age - This issue provides insights on making decisions, practical advice, and book recommendations.

January 14 - The Weight of What We Keep: A Story of Hoarding, Depression, and Lessons Learned - Exploring mental health and how to support loved ones.

January 21 - Writing for Wellness: Reasons for Journaling and 10 Tips to Get You Started and The Connection Between Writing and Mental Clarity - Make writing a part of your self-care routine.

January 28 - Distinguishing Elephants and Fleas: Ending Procrastination and Setting Priorities - A practical and motivating conclusion to January’s focus on organization and productivity.

Live inspired,
Mary