Journey to 100 is devoted to taking life one-step at a time.

Emerson famously wrote, “Life is a journey, not a destination.” Indeed it is, we are here for a finite amount of time, there are beginnings and endings in life, and destinations along the way. There are goals to be set and perhaps even attained, though actually attaining them isn’t always the most beneficial part and it isn’t always of great consequence if some goals are not reached. Occasionally, we learn more and grow stronger from a missed shot. But, what we do with our goals, our desires, our challenges, our opportunities, and what we’d have them make of us, is our life. That is the journey… Well, the first leg of the journey that is –for eternity surely follows.

I have an affinity for the number 100. I like it best of all the nice, round numbers. I like the notion of gracefully growing to the ripe old age of 100 and, of course, there are many areas of life worthy of giving 100% effort. 100 is often used as a milestone and it’s always a number other numbers are measured up against (statistical percentages, and the like).

100 is the kind of number that can inspire us to aspire to perfect scores and amazing accomplishments or, depending on our approach, it can dishearten and defeat us with even the smallest of percentages off the mark. Things great and small come and go in increments, and it’s in those increments where the majority of our life is found. Increments are precious and not to be wasted. Savor progress; savor setbacks, for great lessons are found in both.

I invite you to join me on Journey to 100. I can’t tell you exactly what’s in store or what’s around the next corner, and surely there will be some rabbit trails followed along the way, but here are some steps we can take to walk wisely…

• Differentiate the life goal worthy of 100% effort versus those better suited to a smaller increment of effort.
• Grow in faith and understanding of the One who is most worthy of 100% of our trust, devotion, and adoration. None of us are there yet, but those are the most rewarding increments to grow.
• Consider our naturally occurring roles in life (child, sibling, parent, spouse, friend, neighbor, citizen) and reset or rethink the effort involved and value of other roles we’ve added to them along the way.
• Incorporate habits that lend themselves to longevity of the body. After all, no one gets to 100 years old by accident; it’s more by blessing, balance, and being proactive regarding any not-so-good-genes, and of course, being a good manager of the biological clock.
• Inspect our ratios and give our lives a tune-up from time to time. Great, and not so great, minds have debated the nature of the whole versus the sum of it’s parts, but we all can agree that some parts are more important than others, and if they’re out of whack, the whole ‘whatever’ isn’t worth much of anything.

God is the ultimate resource and ideal guide for the Journey. He’s run the numbers, and prepared the Way. Scripture tells us, “the Lord directs the steps of the godly,” [Ps. 37:23]. Though we’re prone to redirecting those steps ourselves from time to time –and generally not for the better, don’t ever think you have to be ‘perfect’ or in some pre-supposed condition. The Lord loves you already and desires to help you know the peace, joy, and many blessings inherent in a walk with Him. It’s a journey to be treasured, so take it through the valleys and up to the mountain tops -one step at a time.

And, for the record, I’ve tried life two steps at a time. You probably have too at some point. It’s an awkward and unnatural pace, prone to mishaps, falls and subsequent injury, and burnout. But while it is not a recommended pace for the whole journey, there are times when it proves necessary to move with more velocity. Even then, there are things we can do to mitigate the downside risks, temper the pace of the season, and get back to the efficient and ideal gait we were built for… one step at a time.

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

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Current Blog Series Line-up

SUNDAY

Sanctuary Sunday is a Sunday blog series focusing on matters of faith, spirituality, wisdom, and the Journey.

MONDAY

Menu Monday is a Monday blog series dedicated to great food and menu planning.

TUESDAY

Terrible Tues. is a Tuesday blog series for adults, because two-year-olds aren’t the only ones who have bad days.

WEDNESDAY

WHEN?•z•day is a wide-ranging Wednesday blog series covering organizational planning, seasonal themes, ‘time of life’ issues, growth and development; basically, anything that addresses, “When?”

THURSDAY

Thursday Thoughts is a Thursday blog series on timely subjects from the world around us; such as current events, cultural trends, and other things that impact our lives.

FRIDAY

Fed & Fit Friday is a Friday blog series dedicated to developing healthy lifestyle habits and awareness.

SATURDAY

Simple Life Saturday is a Saturday blog series hodgepodge of posts relating to family, home, friends, community, lifelong learning, pleasurable endeavors, and laughs along the way.