Strength in the tongue: speaking life into our dreams

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Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash.

Once upon a time, a middle-aged wife and mother dreamed of being a princess. But not just any princess: one who often swapped out miles of tulle and a tiara for horse duds and Stetson. Plus, she teaches yoga and guides nature hikes on the side. Yet her biggest aspiration always entailed…[read more]

It’s your birthday! Sharing the gift of ourselves.

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To know even one life has breathed easier
because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.
~ Bessie Anderson Stanley

As we mature, birthdays can be a funny thing. Some people dread them; others don’t afford them a second thought. Still others, like me, welcome them with a childlike excitement. Recently, I renewed my annual membership in Club 50, complete with “signature” tiara and full-day (OK, three-day) celebration. Nothing fancy—except my princess attire—I embraced every moment. Because here’s the thing: birthdays are non-negotiable until they run out. And, if nothing else, they offer an opportunity to reflect on the past 12 months of our journey, as well as provide a blank slate on which to write our stories for the next 365 (or 366) days—much like a brand-new calendar year. My plan? To be a better steward of my life going forward. After all, there’s no better way to give to others than to share the gift of ourselves.

What’s your take on birthdays?

It’s my birthday and I’ll cry if I want to. Or not.

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It's my birthday

[Image credit: digitalart]

I had prepared two posts for today.  My first one talked about how my best friend and I used to play make-believe, with me as the “princess.”  We were always trying to escape the “bad guys” who wanted to kidnap me for my fortune of precious stones.  Then I wrote about the fun plans I’d made for my birthday: the annual tree lighting at a local train station and a ride on the kiddie train for our inner child; live music, drinks and appetizers at a nearby restaurant for the grown-up in each of us.  But my second post lamented the rain forecasted for today, and my decision to cancel the party, opting for sweatpants and a movie from Redbox.  However, I’ve decided not to let the weather ruin my plans (even if the first half of my party gets rained out).  Because today I’m a true princess (complete with tiara), only the precious gems are those who I share my life with.

What’s your fondest birthday memory?