Does anyone else choose a “word of the year?” I have done so for the last several years, though, like New Year’s resolutions, I often forget my word by mid-February.

This year, my word is “Flourish,” and I’m being more intentional about incorporating its meaning into many of my activities.

I love every one of these definitions. There isn’t a bad one in the bunch. Thrive; grow (luxuriantly); be in my prime; be successful; prosper; make sweeping gestures; add embellishments or fanfare…yes, please!

What does the Bible say about flourishing?

¹² The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
    they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
¹³ planted in the house of the Lord,
    they will flourish in the courts of our God.
¹⁴ They will still bear fruit in old age,
    they will stay fresh and green,
¹⁵ proclaiming, “The Lord is upright;
    he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”

Psalm 92:12-15

What great verses as I navigate my 60s! The bold text is mine. How will I flourish? Like a palm tree, growing like a cedar of Lebanon, planted in God’s house. In other words, as I stay close to God, embracing His righteousness, I will thrive and grow. And not just as any old tree, but one that says fresh, green, and vibrant, bearing fruit even as I age. What an awesome promise!

Flourishing in my everyday life

However, knowing the definition and the Scriptures and putting this all into practice are very different. I’ve always been a planner (some would accurately say over-planner), so I sketched out a few activities for the first quarter of 2025. I’ve learned that setting goals for a whole year just sets me up for failure, but three months sounds doable.

I made a list of things I’d like to accomplish that will help me grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. When I discussed my list with a co-worker, she mentioned something she was doing in her own life—a bingo card of goals for 2025.

I’ve always loved bingo. Consequently, in keeping with my quarterly emphasis, I created a Flourish Bingo card for the first quarter of 2025.

I set quite a few physical goals, such as walking, hiking, drinking, and a weekly Apple Fitness workout, but I also included some home management, recreation, relationship, and spiritual habits to round out my card.

My daily Bible reading, gratitude journaling, and prayer are non-negotiables. I love to learn more about God, so I created a square for taking a Right Now Media class each quarter.

I just now found a calligraphy class, but it won’t fit into this quarter—I’ll move it to the fall or winter when I’ll want more indoor activities. Writing today’s blog fulfills the “write one blog a month ” requirement, so I’ll be marking that square off as soon as I hit “publish.”

To be clear, I did not hit all these goals, and I knew I wouldn’t when I set up the card. But “someday” goals are still important. Maybe I didn’t get to spend a weekend away with Don yet this year, but I can put it back on my second-quarter card and try again.

And I also learned that just because I really, really want to accomplish something, I can’t do it all. I must prioritize; therefore, finishing taxes came before watercolor practice.

I couldn’t decide what I’d “win” if I got a BINGO. Maybe just the satisfaction of marking off each square. But I did it! I got a bingo, and I still have a few more days left in the quarter.

What’s the point?

First, who I am today matters. I’m not trying to reinvent myself, but no one is too old to try new things or find fun new ways to hit goals. Secondly, if I’m serious about flourishing, I’ve got to consciously make good choices. If I want to flourish in my “old age,” I need to stay close to Jesus, rooted in His Word, and intentional about my health, relationships, and free time.

Any advice for new squares to add in future quarters?