09 Oct Birthdays and Getting Older

Today is my birthday…and I’m 44. A whole year older, and maybe somewhat wiser.

I’ve made every passing year an opportunity to reflect and refocus my goals. My birthday represents the chance to change or start fresh and to create a path for the future. Growing older has taught me that times moves quickly. It’s also taught me that making a plan doesn’t mean much because real life gets in the way.

My birthday represents survival, growth and evolution; and over the past few years it has also been a time of deep reflection.

I definitely have a lot to be thankful for:  a loving husband of 17 years, three amazing children, our health and a great career. But there are so many things I still want to experience and I’m nervous that as each birthday comes and goes, I may soon run out of time to accomplish my “to do list.”

Getting older has been a bit of an emotional challenge for me. I sometimes feel like MOMENTS have passed me by while I was pre-occupied with LIFE.

Turning the BIG 40!

I just sometimes fear getting older. I get nervous that the milestones are fleeing too quickly and I don’t want to miss anything. I don’t want regrets or missed opportunities.

I also fear illness and loss. I worry about myself and those around me. These are issues I didn’t think about when I was young.

So, I’ve decided that MY birthday resolution this year is to embrace my age with grace and acceptance. It’s about living in the present and encouraging myself to tackle the future with excitement and determination. I’ll also acknowledge my fears and cross obstacles when they present themselves to the best of my abilities.

My 40s mean: reading glasses, more frequent appointment with my hair colourist,  creating dreams, conquering fears, more worries, less apprehensions, some deeper wrinkles and maybe some minor joint pain.

It also means more disposable income for shopping sprees, deeper conversation with my children,  laughter, more frequent date nights and more “me” time.

So, today, October the 9th, 2015, is about embracing life, basking in my success, reflecting on my failures, savouring the moment and anticipating the excitement that comes with one more year of wisdom and experience.