40 And Grateful

Image by: Alina Tsvor @AlinaTsvor

I wanted to title this blog “Halfway to Eighty”, but it didn’t have quite the same feeling that my “Halfway to Eighteen” blog did so I went with something else. I have to admit, I am not a big birthday person. I never was. I don’t love all of the attention unless of course, I am standing next to my Pigs, then center-stage is where it’s at.  However, this birthday is a bit of a milestone so I decided to acknowledge it. This is a big one. Today, I turned 40.

I have been reflecting for a while now on how I feel about turning forty years old in what seems like just the blink of an eye, or faster. I have gone back and forth about what I was going to write today. Initially, I thought I would write a list of 40 of my greatest accomplishments since birth. Truth be told, it felt a little self-indulgent. I ditched that idea. Next.

I tossed around sharing all of the things I plan to do as I enter into my first year as a forty-something. My dreams. My goals for myself. The things I plan to do to be a better version of me as I am always a work in progress. I like this idea and I will be documenting those things for sure. Whether they are one of the few things I keep to myself or not, it is a topic that will take some time and more thought so I decided to go with this for my birthday blog: thank you.

Thank you. Thank you to every single person out there who has known me, taught me or touched me in some way, (not in that way) although, thanks to you too. Thank you for showing me what it was like to give back to something greater than myself. Thank you for pushing me and then thank you for recognizing when I was on the brink of a breaker one-two and stepping back. Thank you for never expecting a gift or card from me on your birthday but knowing that I show my love in other ways. Thank you for making me laugh. Thank you for listening to my rants. Thank you for telling me when I was wrong. Thank you for accepting my apology. Thank you for loving me unconditionally. Thank you for being part of the mold that has made me who I am at this moment. I am finally starting to figure out who that is. It feels good and I thank you.

In forty years, I have managed to curate a pretty incredible group of people I affectionately refer to as ‘my tribe’. (I want to call these folks ‘my squad’, but I am middle-aged now. Sadly, that reference simply isn’t age-appropriate anymore.) This tribe of inspiring folks is all amazing in their own way and they make me want to be better. My people are incredible parents and entrepreneurs. They are philanthropists and innovators. They are brilliant men and women. They are some of the hardest working folks around. They are honest. They are hilarious. They have something to offer the world. They are winners in life. They are the reason I am who I am at this very moment. I am one lucky girl. (Hold the phone! Do I get to call myself a girl anymore? Does this mean people are going to start calling me ma’am? Cougar? Yes. Ma’am? No, thank you. Sorry, I digress.)

I have heard that living with gratitude can contribute to a healthier and happier life. I don’t have to try to be grateful. It isn’t hard when you are surrounded by the people who surround me.  I think there is something to that notion and if you find you could make a little space for some gratitude in your life, well, I hope I have inspired you. Also, in my elevated age, I have acquired a better understanding of the phrase “life is precious”. I have said it before and I’ll say it again: hug your mom, pick up your phone, don’t text, say the words, “I love you” to someone who hasn’t heard you say it in a while. Its a ride and its flying by us. Thank you for coming on this journey with me. Thank you for reading this blog. Don’t look back. Live your truth and, for fuck’s sake, do what feeds your soul!