Sometime last year it dawned on me that I was turning 70 this year (probably when I turned 69). Like every decade number, it felt like a big one. A really big one. A game changing one. Like the kickoff of the last phase of my life. So I went into contemplation mode and asked myself…what is it that I want for myself at this momentous life stage? I decided to collect my thoughts in a document I called “@70”. It has become for me part manifesto, part strategic plan. I’ll share some of it with you later in this post. But in the process of self-assessment the question came to me…”Hmmm…I wonder what it was I wanted at the other significant decade birthdays?”

Again, I’ll share some of my personal musings later but before I do, I wonder how you would answer the question? What do you want, right now at this point in your journey? Lately there’s been a good amount of research and writing on this subject. People like Dr. Peter Attia have made it a focus of their podcasts, books and articles. I’m a big Attia fan, by the way. The general theme of all this research and commentary has been on happiness, flourishing, joy, or what Attia calls healthspan. I personally like to describe my foundational desire @70 as vitality. I want to live an extraordinary life. Earlier in my life my desires were different.

@20 – I just wanted to find myself. Who did everyone think I should be? Who was I compared to everyone else? And what should I do with my life? What was my American Dream? I had no strategic plan…I just reacted. So, when a stranger stuck a finger in my chest and said ,“You are called to be a pastor,” I said…”O.K.”

@30 – A few years into pastoring, I wanted more. I wanted a bigger thing to give my life to. I had big aspirations and big opinions and wanted to change the world. I was ready to take risks and lead with abandon.

@40 – I wanted to prove myself. Not even my wife knew how terribly insecure I was leading a large organization full of people who, I was sure, looked at me with suspicion. I preached hard, led hard, and always pointed to the next hill to take. Not just to see success but to convince everyone that I was worthy.

@50 – I wanted peace. Pastoring is traumatic work and, too often, conflictual work. One of the biggest outcomes of this decade was the start of my longest running diversion/hobby of cooking. Another realization of this season was that my calling was morphing and I wanted to do it more…develop leaders and mentor others.

@60 – I wanted to begin landing the plane. Literally, at the age of 60 we commenced the long succession process that led to my son, Barry, taking the reins from me. I wanted this because I honestly, was worn out. I wanted to discover my new identity post-pastor.

Those are my fleeting memories of my core desires. There were accompanying desires at some of those life stages that addressed other areas of health…physical health, relational health, behavioral health, emotional health, spiritual health, and financial health. For instance, physical health was important to me in my 30s but became much less so until now. Financial health became a passion in my 40s when I suddenly realized how little I was saving for retirement. Spiritual health was huge in my 20s. Emotional health was big in my 60s.

@70 though, my core desire is to live an extraordinary life of vitality. I grandly call it my reformation! Here are just a few objectives in my @70 plan:

• Begin a total body reshaping: strength, energy and mobility
• Reinforce our financial well-being
• Reclaim my time
• Launch a new spiritual journey

Each of those objectives has accompanying tactics and habits, some more developed than others.  But I am making progress! Ask Penny how many times I flex my new muscles for her. She now rolls her eyes. I am actually more pleased with my personal progress than at any of the other decade markers.

Don’t get me wrong, there have been too many moments of distress both physically and emotionally. Things happen to bodies and souls. But overall, I am pleased with my level of vitality @70. It is an extraordinary life!

Back to you… at your age…what is it that you want? I’d love to hear! I’d also be curious to know if you would find it helpful to attend a workshop we’re considering creating on this subject…the Well-being Project. Let me know what you think!

I wish you well @whatever age you find yourself!