We have made it to the final month of 2020!

It may be illogical, but we can’t wait for 2020 to be over, as 2021 will surely be better.

At least that is our hope and anticipation for the calendar change.

For senior adults, anticipation is a very important component for health and well-being.

Have you ever experienced the joy of planning for a future event?

Whether it be a trip, a party, or just being with family or friends, imagining future events can be as rewarding as the events themselves.

Having something to look forward to is essential for your quality of life the longer you live.

Did you know that anticipation is a skill that you can develop?

But instant gratification prevents anticipation.

If you immediately fulfill the desires to eat what you want, buy things, or otherwise act on impulse you are not exercising your brain’s capacity to imagine the consequences of your decisions.

A sign of maturity is making plans that can be anticipated with confidence.

Author Jordan E. Rosenfeld states, “When you’re looking forward to something, your brain releases feel-good hormones which help to reinforce behaviors that are beneficial.”

To strengthen your ability to live in constant anticipation of positive things in the future, you need to practice delayed gratification.

This is done by purposefully making plans for things weeks, months, or years in advance.

Then as you think about upcoming events on your calendar your imagination is stimulated to produce the joy you anticipate will come.

The biggest obstacle to healthy anticipation is anxiety.

Some people are afraid to allow themselves to anticipate the future, because they don’t want to be disappointed.

Perhaps they have had their hopes dashed multiple times after looking forward to things that turned out bad.

I am anticipating many wonderful things in 2021, not because 2020 will be over, but because I believe Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Next week: You are capable.

Dan Williams is the senior adult pastor at Lexington Baptist Church.