Let’s Talk Birthdays
Even when Birthdays are less than celebratory, it’s still a good time to reflect on the last year around the sun and take stock of all things big and small that made the year great.
I know a lot of people think having a birthday in the middle of the holiday season must be the worst. I have been asked over the years how I felt about it. I LOVE my Birthday. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. December 29th is my favorite day. I love being a December baby. I love the numbers 12/29 together. I love how festive that time of year is and everything feels magical, including my birthday. Do I ever get “combo” gifts….um…..no because I’m very clear that that is unacceptable. Do I ever get lost in the shuffle…..um also no because I start telling everyone on December 1st that my birthday is coming. Can I be high maintenance….yep, on occasion I can. C’est la Vie, I will not apologize for that. One thing I do love about my birthday being only two days from the start of a new year is it gives me a push to reflect on the last year of my life not just because a new year is starting but because I am starting another run around the sun. What did I accomplish over the last twelve months? Did I reach the goals I set for myself? Were there any surprises? Good or Bad?
Since I’ve been dealing with a naughty appendix over the last six weeks and had to lay very low for my birthday, I’ve had the luxury of slowing down in a busy holiday season. I took the time to write out 53 wonderful things that happened on my 53rd trip around the sun. I did this two years ago and since I’m not good at this whole rest and take it easy thing, it seems God wants me to work on this lesson again. Apparently, when God needs to get my attention, He has to really get my attention. The first thing I will be working on in the New Year is listening to my body and listening to what God wants for me.
I love a place to put my vision board, habits I want to cultivate, intentions for a new year, and the brand new blank planner that arrived from Saint Belford is going to be filled with goals and dreams and plans for the new year coming in hot. I never want to stop growing and learning and chasing after big hairy goals. I hope that in sharing those things here, you find something that you want to chase, because you think, “if she can do it, why can’t I?”
Can I encourage you to think back on the last 12 months and be proud of all you’ve done? Big, small, doesn’t matter. Take it from me, even just putting one foot in front of the other is an accomplishment sometimes. The last six weeks taught me that, oh and that sometimes you just need to cry and then shake off the negative. Let’s start the new year off with hope and excitement for whatever 2024 might bring.
