“Life is not about finding yourself; it’s about creating yourself.” George Bernard Shaw
Thought leaders often emphasize living life by design or on your terms. Living by design is having a life plan and making that plan work. Four decades ago, the late Revered Father Royce Wenceslaus Macedo, a Jesuit priest and an exceptional English teacher, profoundly influenced my life. I had the great fortune to learn Fowler’s English from him. Father Macedo was a great role model, and I have always been grateful to him for instilling foundational habits in us as children. His mantra was simple yet impactful: rise early and learn every day. On birthdays, he often said, “Son, you are one day closer to your grave. So, live your life well and fully. Be grateful for what you have and live your life focused.”
Father Macedo was also a great sports enthusiast and frequently reminded us, “Your game is only as good as your practice.” He insisted on the importance of daily actions, a principle that resonated deeply with me. Inspired by him, I developed daily routines that became second nature—until the challenges of adulthood and daily life eroded those habits. His teachings became a compass for my life, though there were times I strayed from their path. Neglecting the fundamentals of self-care—timely meals, adequate sleep, regular exercise, and reflection—quickly led to noticeable consequences: lethargy, lack of energy, and difficulty in focusing on tasks. Initially, these lapses seemed inconsequential, but as I aged, they became significant issues, necessitating medication and frequent visits to doctors.
2025 is here, let us not forget that time flies—before we know it, 2026 will be upon us. Let us resolve to live our lives by design – with gratitude and cherish moments of kindness throughout 2025. As I now firmly embrace the status of a senior citizen, both psychologically and chronologically, I would like to share five insights for the new year.
Reading about great leaders, one common trait stands out: self-care. Robin Sharma, author of The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari and The 5 AM Club: Own Your Mornings – Elevate Your Life, underscores the importance of positive routines to stay healthy and focused. His concept of the 20:20:20 rule aligns beautifully with Father Macedo’s teachings, which have remained a source of inspiration for me. Here are five best practices I have gleaned from both:
As we step into 2025, let us commit to these practices, inspired by thought leaders and timeless wisdom. Let gratitude guide our actions and self-care anchor our journey toward a fulfilling and meaningful year ahead. As we begin another year, let us heed Father Macedo’s reminder to live fully and practice kindness in our daily interactions. What plans do you have to care for yourself and your loved ones in 2025? I invite you to share your thoughts and strategies in tne comments section.
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity. It makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” — Melody Beattie