Do you choose a word for the coming year? Last year was the first time I intentionally embraced this practice. I chose “abundance” for 2025, and boy, was my life overflowing. I traveled to Argentina to visit my far-flung daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren. Later, I made a solo two week trip Hawai’i where I joined a Backroads biking and hiking tour of the big island and, incredibly, I got to witness the erupting volcano. I had plastic dermatologic surgery on my nose for a skin cancer. I completed the editing of my second memoir, then worked with my assisted-publishing company on cover and interior design, and finally, Life Hikes was published in early November. I celebrated my 65th birthday with a dance party. Abundant joy!
So “abundance” thoroughly happened, but I’m tired. For 2026, I thought that I might better choose “simplicity” after all that abundance, but I liked the fullness that it brought me, so that wouldn’t do. Then I wondered about “intentional” because I tend to go with the flow, jumping when opportunities arise without much planning on my part. I enjoy that aspect of my now retired life, so I let that word drop, though I do intend to be more deliberate in some parts of my life going forward. It will require planning, which I am good at, but retirement has loosened that particular muscle.
Like the little monkey in Curious George, I am naturally very curious. Lots of thing interest me. I’ve described myself as a dilettante, one who dabbles in a lot of areas, but isn’t particularly proficient in any one. It frustrated me as an emerging adult, but I like that aspect about myself now.
What I initially envisioned when I chose “curiosity” was giving myself permission to explore different kinds of writing, maybe even look into the visual arts. It means exploring new parts of the world in my traveling, maybe even new ways of traveling. I already enjoy exploring nature and learning new things about the natural world when I research a particular tree or other lifeforms, so I want that to continue.
But “curiosity” carries deeper meaning than just allowing myself to range all over the place, exploring my whims and fancies.
Earlier this month, I heard someone talking about encountering difficult situations with mindful curiosity. I was intrigued. What if, instead of reacting, or even analyzing, I could approach these challenges with curiosity. “Why does this person bring up such strong emotions in myself?” “Why did I cry so easily at that movie?” “Why did grief hit me so hard again when there was nothing in particular to trigger it?” There is a lightness in examining these situations with curiosity rather than analysis.
Now, it’s another thing altogether if I can actually do this. Beyond a lightness of spirit, it requires some detachment and space to suppress my ego’s initial reaction. I’ll need to…
Stop.
Breathe.
Examine with curiosity.