How the Baby Boomer Came to Terms with His 2026 Resolve

For those of you who are familiar with the Baby Boomer, you know he no longer makes New Year’s resolutions for all the obvious reasons. Instead, he makes a resolve which is defined as a firm determination to do something.

Back in 2023 before retirement I resolved to regain passion in practicing the discipline necessary to become the best servant leader to my family, my friends, and my colleagues at JL.

Then in 2024 I resolved to work on my “DASH” as defined in the poem “The Dash” and to finally appreciate and feel “joy”.

Looking back, I do believe I achieved my resolves for both 2023 and 2024. Hey, it wasn’t easy and it was a daily challenge, but I was satisfied with both outcomes.

I neglected to make a true resolve in 2025 just merely saying to my family I’d keep my mouth shut about things, however, according to the King, that did not transpire by his almost daily reminders although he does tend to exaggerate. Oh, well.

2025 was somewhat of a challenging year where, at times, I was having difficulty in finding self-worth. I found myself in a “funk” so to speak. Fortunately, unlike 2024, I wasn’t facing any physical challenges although La Bear certainly was which caused me, the “worrier”, to naturally “worry”. Hey, things got better and I’m hoping we’re heading in the right direction as the personal challenges this past year were mental. The Baby Boomer is still being challenged in retirement and it reminds him of the 1981 hit song by the group Styx entitled “Too Much Time On My Hands”. Knowing I’m a loner and an introvert, it’s always been generally difficult for me to build relationships and to trust folks. Hey, I know it’s healthy for your mind and well-being to build relationships, yet, it’s just not ME!

Just this past week, I enjoyed lunch with a classmate going as far back as elementary school where I shared my mental challenge with retirement asking what he did to remain active and how he maintained his mental acuity. Please allow me to digress as one of my biggest fears is losing my memory and suffer from dementia. Hey, I’ve been “down that road” with my mother who passed away in 2019 from Alzheimer’s disease and it was a terrible six-year journey I wish on no one. Well, my buddy said he and his wife (his high school sweetheart) enjoy traveling having just returned from a month-long European trip, he lunches a couple of times per week with a group of men from his past, volunteers, enjoys hunting and fishing, is involved in his community and his church, and, of course, his family. No doubt he’s seemingly keeping very busy and I must admit I was a bit envious.

I do wish to thank my friend as our lunch together did indeed “open my eyes” leading me to put into perspective my personal dilemma while, at the same time, helping me to declare my resolve for 2026. You know the saying “what’s good for the goose is good for the gander” isn’t always the case as you must also consider the phrase “different strokes for different folks”.

So, after much deep thought and consideration, I congratulate my old friend on his active lifestyle with us being in the Winter of our lives. But being who I am, I couldn’t and won’t be able to be someone whom I’m not, which I believe I’ve finally come to terms with. Indeed, I’m very comfortable in my own skin.

In 2025, we were able to host a group of high school classmates at The Compound for a mini-reunion where everyone in attendance had a very nice time. We attempted to pull off another get-together in October even opening up our invitees to a much larger group, but due to a severe lack of interest we were forced to cancel which was a bit befuddling and honestly depressing. I’m certain it was this experience which led to my “funk” this Fall as I’m still shaking my head.

Hey, we’re busy enough as we look after our little grandson Master M Monday-Friday from 10Am-4PM which gives us great joy. Yes, we get “out and about” on weekends with day trips. Quite frankly, we don’t really enjoy extensive travelling other than a cruise every “now and again” nor do we have any real special interests knowing we’ve “been there and done that”. It goes without saying we moved to The Compound and so named it that for a reason–ESCAPE–yes, escaping American society and for good reason! Bottom line is our #1 interest and commitment is to our FAMILY!

My quandary is the lack of personal challenge in my life to maintain my mind and that’s what I miss since my total retirement–I’m just bored. Oh, I know, this blog helps although I’m starting to run out of material. Perhaps, my readers could provide some topics for me to consider? Honestly, I don’t think the holidays or Winter help either.

Okay, here’s the bottom line. I’ve finally come to the conclusion and upon reflection my resolve for 2026 is that I must come to terms with the “past being the past” and, certainly, not become complacent by any means, but to learn how to understand that being CONTENT is okay although it will be extremely difficult, yet, something I must come to terms with and enjoy each day always remembering tomorrow is never promised.