“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” — Oprah Winfrey 

It’s funny, because I always celebrating everyone’s birthday, except for my own.

It’s not that I don’t like my birthday, because I do. I just struggle with being in the spotlight.

I’m trying to do better. I want to celebrate and praise my birthday more. As I started my most recent trip around the sun, I began listing what I learned about myself. I also considered what I learned about the world.

Here’s my offering:

1. Going for a walk with my husband or by myself is always the answer.
2. I don’t take texting my 85-year-old dad each morning for granted. We chat about the weather, how we are feeling, and whether we’ve had our coffee yet or not.
3. My mom’s resiliency amazes me. She lost my step-dad to cancer after 30 years of marriage. She is stepping into her new normal with grace, energy, and curiosity.
4. I read a book about death titled Heartwood: The Art of Living with the End in Mind by Barbara Becker. It taught me a lot more about living more intentionally.
5. Sometimes you need to sprinkle in some good old rom-com fiction to lighten things up a bit.
6. I’ve found more time by being on social media a lot less.
7. If you’re looking for me, more than likely I’m sitting on the front porch or on the back deck.
8. My surgery got rescheduled two days before it was supposed to happen. This was due to an upper respiratory infection. I rolled with it. It wouldn’t have changed anything if I had gotten upset. 
9. Understanding that when someone takes out their frustrations on me, it says everything about them.
10. I still love naps.
11. I appreciate the kindness of strangers. When we were in Chicago and we were out for a walk with our son, I sneezed. A stranger walking past said, “Bless you,” before my husband or son could.
12. Yoga every morning for 20 minutes really does help with flexibility.
13. Progress takes time and I don’t always notice it, but I know things are getting better.
14. I’m in my 32nd year in education, and I still enjoy this career. It’s challenging and yet rewarding. 
15. I get more done when I have instrumental music playing in the background.
16. I’m getting better at not needing to always be doing something.
17. Being a grandma (or in my case, Mimi) to my three grandchildren is my favorite thing in the whole world.
18. When I see someone doing something to make a positive impact, I let them know it.
19. I’m getting better at sending someone snail mail. It seems to mean more than a text, email, or comment on social media.
20. I don’t have a lot of friendships, but I treasure the ones I do have.
21. I’m paying better attention to what I’m putting in my body.
22. Supporting small businesses is important now more than ever.
23. Putting my faith in God has helped me through some tough times in the past year.
24. I will never get tired of watching “Gilmore Girls.”
25. Control what I can and let the rest go.
26. Some people have a lot to learn about being a leader.
27. I love dogs, but I don’t think I will ever have another one.
28. Deep breaths before responding make all the difference. 
29. Sometimes not responding is the better response.
30. I can’t imagine my life without journaling in the morning.
31. Take the time to have actual conversations.
32. Finding the right place to increase my faith has been pivotal.
33. Going on coffee dates with Jack after church allows us time to talk without distractions.
34. I found more recipes on Instagram reels this year than ever before.
35. Boundaries are a good thing.
36. I joined my neighborhood book club and took the leap to host one of our meetings.
37. Reminding myself that I can have conversations with God whenever I want to.
38. Everything is figureoutable. 
39. Being friendly doesn’t mean we’re friends.
40. When someone gets amped, I don’t have to match their energy.
41. Encourage more moments of zen.
42. Saying less, says more.
43. It’s okay not to fill up every moment with talking.
44. “Be curious, not judgmental.” 
45. When I feel agitated, it’s time for a walk.
46. Energy before action is essential.
47. If I want things done a certain way, then I need to do them.
48. I’m pretty loyal until someone crosses the line, and then I’m done.
49. It’s more challenging to lose weight as I get older.
50. The 80s really were a great decade to grow up in.
51. I’m not great at small talk.
52. I refuse to laugh when something isn’t funny, even if it makes others uncomfortable.
53. Conversations with strangers are fun.
54. I love going to locally owned coffee shops.
55. Living in a state that has all four seasons is the best.
56. I like falling asleep to the sound of rain.
57. With retirement on the horizon (less than two years away), it’s fun contemplating what I might do next.
58. Love always wins, always.

Like I said, I’m really trying to do more celebrating and praising of the life I have. It’s not all rainbows and unicorns, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.