Birthday Reflections

I have mixed feelings about this. I don’t think of myself as someone who is “middle-aged.” In my mind, I’m perpetually 30ish. I feel like it was just last week that I thought 45 was SO old. 

I once read somewhere that if you dread turning another year older, it’s an indication you’re not living the life you want. That feels pretty spot on to me.

I’m in an in-between phase in my life, and not being where I want to be in some areas (but getting there!), I’m not too happy about this whole 45 thing. But I can remember times not too long ago when I was totally in the flow and excited to use the marking of a birthday as a time to review all the great things that life brought me in the previous year. 

You know when you feel so busy that you can’t possibly take a break, but you also know it’s the thing you need most? Well, if you want to bury your head in the sand instead of celebrating, that’s probably the best time to write up some things you’re grateful for since your last birthday. 

Since like attracts like, intentional gratitude will bring more things to be grateful for.  

So here goes. Over the past year, some of the things I’m thankful for are:

As I look toward the next 365 days, I’m going to do my best to live in a way so I look forward to each birthday no matter the number attached to it. I want to celebrate each passing year for the role it plays in living an extraordinary life. 

Instead of looking back and wishing I’d done things sooner or learned lessons earlier, I’m going to focus on today and make conscious choices that represent my life’s vision.

And I encourage you to join me. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday or not, be intentional in your decisions today. Toss away the “shoulds”. Forget guilt and obligation. That’s not the kind of energy you want to carry with you.

“It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” – George Eliot

So until next week, keep taking those steps to Live Out Loud.