JANUARY 2025. Another year begins. What will we do with it? Partly, that is a choice each of us can make. Sometimes we can be proactive. At other times we must be reactive – in the highest sense of the word. Might it be that managing our reactivity to circumstances that are  unexpected, alarming or beyond our control could be the key to our daily quality of life or success in living? Or perhaps it is reframing those circumstances and addresses that which is within our capability to mold and form and live in accordance with our uniquely personal wisdom and values.

As I write this, it is the weekend during which we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr., and, by stark contrast, the inauguration of a new old president. I am compelled to ponder a few thoughts which I will now share. (Not to worry – not political thoughts!)

Each year I choose a word for the year. I am certainly not alone in doing so as it has become the practice of many as well as the topic of many posts online and in social media.

This year, 2025, I will work with the word, and broader concept of, MOBILITY. Yes, it is a buzzword in the world of strength, fitness, physical therapy –  you name it. But the concept of MOBIITY can be expanded to include my significant four elements: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. MOBILITY extends beyond flexibility – though, of course, flexibility is excellent. MOBILITY suggests having the strength, stamina, power, resilience, stability and yes, flexibility to move through a wide ROM (range of motion) of the body (muscles, joints, fascia, etc) as well as of the mind and of each individual’s personal experience. When our beliefs are challenged, our fortitude tested or our bodies exhausted, can we continue to move safely and soundly through our experience? It is my personal and professional goal to help us to do so by sharing what I have experienced and learned as well as brilliant guidance from others.

This year I urge us each to adopt a morning practice, dedicate time each day to fitness, adhere to the principle of progressive overload as we strengthen our precious muscles, step outside our comfort zones, experience new things, nurture enthusiasm and positivity, read words of wisdom or words that make us think our own thoughts and form our own conclusions, eat well, sleep well, practice self-care in its highest and most accessible form, get outdoors daily no matter the weather, connect with friends, honor family, and incorporate modest amounts of breath work into each day learning to reduce stress and to be, according to Thich Nhat Hanh, present. Oh my, this list could go on and on!

Furthermore, this year I urge us each to redefine and build on our strength – again, applying this to physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. As the world turns upside down globally and locally, as excesses and shortages savage all aspects of our daily lives and future dreams, may we each address our current resolve to be strong as the hours pass and the years accumulate – if we are lucky. For years now, longevity has been another buzzword referring to Health Span and not just Life Span, to living long but living well. Though we may not have the genetic predisposition to age well, we do have a certain amount of agency over that which we do have. And, even if we cannot look into a crystal ball, wouldn’t it be smart to take the best possible care of ourselves? Just in case we CAN affect results somewhat?

What do you think of this from Parker Palmer?  “Self-care is never a selfish act—it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer to others.”

So, on this cold January day of 2025, may we each and all consider taking up the challenge of self-care, personal strength, and, perhaps the culmination of it all, MOBILITY!