Another year, another birthday.  That’s how I have always looked at them, from the earliest I can remember all the way through number 54.  For some reason, this one seems to be different.  When I hear 55, the gears start spinning.  I’ve been alive 55 years and what have I accomplished?  What mark have I made?  What have I done to make taking up space on this planet worth me being here?  What’s ahead?  I only have a certain number of years left.  What will I accomplish?  What mark will I make?  Will I do anything worth taking up more space for another 5, 15 or 25 years?

The mind is a powerful thing with the ability to propel us to do more than we ever thought we could and the power to stop us in our tracks.  How do we use it for the former and to avoid the latter?

Maybe that’s my challenge for the next however many years I have left.  I’m not worried about what’s on the other side of life.  In fact, I long for it but until that day comes I want to do something that makes someone’s life better, that leaves a legacy of loving others well and giving them something to pass on to someone else so they also love people well.  I don’t expect or seek fame but I would be comforted knowing there is something I have done before I expire that made a difference for someone and makes a difference for a future generation.

I suppose I can sit here and type about what about’s and what-if’s and nothing will happen.  I will leave this for now and say a prayer that my 55th year of life has some meaning to someone, that a thing or things I do will improve someone’s life, give encouragement to go forward, to lift someone out of the depths of despair.  If I can do that, it will be a successful year.  A successful life.

Grace and peace.