#Word365 For 2022

This year my word has been Adventure. Who knew just what an adventure retirement would turn out to be? Despite the restrictions of the pandemic, I have visited new places, made new friends, learned new skills, tasted new foods and done all sorts of things I never expected.

I've grown - and eaten- my own salads. I've lost weight, I'm on my way to walking 1000miles in my 67th year

We live in our own property at last - and have bus passes and pensions... And three beautiful grandchildren. So what word am I taking for 2022? Well, I'm choosing two - a simple phrase 

There are different ways to interpret this. It can be in relation to habits and activities - I want to look again at the way I do things. Bob and I have realised that our pattern of life changed when we moved to Ferndown, and I was at home, not dashing round supply teaching, and I had time to bake more. We both put on weight. Bob no longer has regular "work related" demands on his time, so we are freer to do more things together. We need to look again at our lifestyle, sensibly planning meals and times for exercise. 

I need to look again at favourite hobbies [craft, reading, baking] How do these fit in now? And what about new hobbies? [gardening, walking] 

I need to look again at my role in the life of my church and my community. How and where can I most usefully contribute?

And my role in the family - particularly helping my children and grandchildren, and supporting my aunt and her grandson following the sudden, unexpected loss of Gillian last month. 

I need to look again at spending patterns. 8 years ago we had a large monthly mortgage payment, and I had well paid regular work supply teaching. That income disappeared in Dorset but the bills were the same. Now Cornerstones is paid for, as is the car - and we are pensioners. We must budget wisely, and use our resources responsibly. 

Those are all Big Things with long term consequences . But I need to learn to look again at the little daily things. To look again at my surroundings when we go on our walks, properly appreciating the beauty of nature, the changing seasons, the patterns of sunlight... To look again at situations, beyond a superficial response, asking myself  "What is this person really saying? How can I best serve them today, and show real love and care?"... What would Jesus do?

To look again at the emails and flyers from the charities and campaigns, which daily fill my in box and fall through the letterbox. Before deleting the message or recycling the leaflet, perhaps I should spend a minute or two reading them, in case they genuinely do need something from me. 

"At first glance I decided I should..." and "My first impression was..." are valid thoughts - but in 2022 I want to learn to slow down, take my time and