My wonderful, vibrant, active mother died last year at the age of 77. She was health-conscious before her time, so if her lifespan is a gauge for mine, I have 25 years to live. This, obviously, is a sobering thought. If the last 10 years are any indication, then 25 more are really not that long a time. Most people over 40 realize that life is random and ever-more precious as the years roll on. With only 25 years to go, this is a serious fact. Holy moly, how did I get here?

As a baby boomer, I buy into the notion that 60 is the new 50, 40 is the new 30 and so on - thank you marketers of America. But even we boomers must face facts. I have never been in better shape mentally and physcially, and truth be told, at 52, I look damn good. but, still, the time has come for a reckoning. Am I passionate about my work? Do I do what makes me happy and fulfilled? Am I taking care of my body, my mind, my soul? Am I a good sister, mother, colleague and friend? Are the people in my life the people I really want there? Am I my authentic self?

I was flipping through one of those calendars we all get at the beginning of the year from Realtors, dry cleaners and such when one saying caught my eye. It said something along the lines of: "How you spend your days is the way you live your life." So simple and profound, isn't it? I don't think this means you have to be super woman every day. I think it's fine to have those days when you don't take a shower until 2 in the afternoon or you find you just don't have the energy to be energetic. What I think it means is that the little ways we live our lives are vitally important and that status quo is not a lifestyle.

I have 25 years to figure out what that means to me. Today, I think I'll just be grateful for the person I have become so far and walk toward the best person I was meant to be.

Send your questions to Lynn at Lynn@smartnow.com.