Happy New Year from Concordia!

Can it almost be New Year’s Day? By many accounts, this year has flown by while also being one of the longest years I have experienced. 2020 has been a challenging, transformative and lifechanging year for most of us. In many ways, it has helped us evaluate our lives and focus on what’s truly important. All of our lives were affected once the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Plans were changed or cancelled, and goals were put on hold as a crisis developed. So, what did I learn from 2020? I learned that I must adapt and go with the flow. I learned not to take the small things in life for granted. I learned that life isn’t what you always expect, but if you work hard it will teach you something you never expected to learn. We have gone through a journey this past year together. Although it has been difficult at times, I believe it has made us stronger and given us a new perspective on life.

Concordia employees had an opportunity during the holiday season to visit many seniors in our Bella Vista community. The warmth and appreciation we received from our visits were overwhelming. Many seniors told us they wished they could be in a community like ours, especially during this pandemic. Many seniors were lonely and have been struggling with depression. It made me pause and ask, “Why are you waiting to move to a retirement community?”

Fear holds many people back from moving to a senior living community. That fear and reason are different for each person. Some seniors believe that by moving from home they will lose their independence and maybe even their privacy. The truth is a community combines support with independence. With their own private apartment or townhome, residents are free to come and go as they like. Do you really want to spend your retirement years tending to your house with the maintenance and upkeep, searching for community activities, and worrying about a fall in your home? If you’ve spent decades in your home, it’s probably a source of comfort. Maybe it’s even linked to your identity and family memories. So, the decision to leave your home can be painful. If remaining in your home impedes your ability to live the life you deserve, it’s time to turn the page to the next chapter.

For others who want to move immediately, the thought of downsizing is completely overwhelming, especially if they do not have a support system to rely on, or they do not want to burden their children. Where do they begin? Every crevice is full, from the attic to the crawl space, the shed, and the garage! There is a fear of having to rush through the packing and the possibility of tossing out treasured items. The great news is that Northwest Arkansas has a few moving management options that will relieve this burden, specializing in helping seniors downsize and transition without the undue stress. So I ask, “What are you waiting for? What does that day look like when you make the decision to move? Will you wait too long?”

I am excited about 2021, and I know the possibilities are endless. New Year’s Day is the most popular time of the year for people to hit the proverbial “reset button.” The coming year is a blank slate. However, instead of setting resolutions, one must set goals. A resolution is a promise to yourself, and it’s something that’s usually more open-ended than a specific goal. Goals give you focus, motivation, and accountability to measure your progress. I make it a habit in my life to always set goals, and this year is no different. Goals are essential to generate positive change. Once you commit yourself to accomplishing a goal, there’s no limit to what you can achieve. No matter what stage of life you are in, I challenge you to sit down and write some personal goals for 2021. Some goal ideas might involve health and fitness, walking daily or taking an exercise class, volunteering for a local organization in Bella Vista or our community at Concordia once we resume some part of normalcy.

There are so many ways to step out of your comfort zone to challenge yourself. Living with purpose is something that doesn’t stop when you retire. So, as we put 2020 behind us and look to 2021, let this be a great year filled with new beginnings, opportunities, and success. If you establish a New Year’s resolution, include a goal within the resolution. Make 2021 a year where you can move forward and look back with pride!

Instead of setting resolutions, one must set goals. Goals give you focus, motivation, and accountability.