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Marjorie Bribitzer's avatar

Great column, Joy! I’d never bring myself to do ALL of those things, but I immediately wrote EnCourage on a sticky note and put it on my refrigerator!! Perfect 2025 word!

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Joy Overstreet's avatar

We'll enCourage each other!

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Jan Austin's avatar

My word for the coming year...though I knew it some weeks ago....is PERSIST! I will persist in living...refusing (as Clint Eastwood said in an interview) to let the old lady out! I will persist in helping the organizations that will fight for our democracy. I will persist in finding ways to support my adult children and my old lady friends. My "word" will require a lot from me in 2025 and I will give it my best! And even though I can't control it, I might even persist from time to time in daydreaming about the Felon's demise.....

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Joy Overstreet's avatar

Persist! Sooo good. You go girl.

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Bonnie Millender's avatar

Joy, you are truly an inspiration. I love your upbeat attitude. I know that we are the same age since we went to college together. I'm happy that I still have the energy to put one foot in front of the other and I marvel at all of the enthusiasm you have to embrace the coming year.

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Joy Overstreet's avatar

I dunno about "enthusiasm." It's more about accepting what is (despite EVERYTHING) and then figuring out "Now what?....

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Bonnie Millender's avatar

Yes, acceptance and a constructive reaction to events is important. I am working on it!

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Danielle's avatar

Joy, we love you. Thanks for your positivity when needed and for keeping it real during these times. You are a beacon.

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Joy Overstreet's avatar

If not real now, when?

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Thom Belford's avatar

Thanks for this note Joy. You popped a new word for me, LIMINAL. A perfect definition for my wife and I as we step into retirement next year. So much to do, so much junk to discard and attitudes in need of realignment.

Happy New Year to you!

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Joy Overstreet's avatar

What an exciting and scary space... the empty space of not knowing. Good to get rid of the old stuff now, so you can step into your new life with a clean slate. Here's to 2025!

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Jan 3
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Joy Overstreet's avatar

This reads strangely like advice from Chat GPT or Claude. Thanks?

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