Over the last year or so, I’ve learned to find great contentment in what I have. It took a long time for me to get here, but now I can honestly say that I don’t need things to make me happy.
This week I celebrated my birthday. I’ve officially been enjoying life on Earth for 38 blessed years, for which I consider myself very lucky. This summer also marked my 20 year high school reunion. It’s hard to admit I’m old enough to have any 20-year life accomplishments. But here I am, all the same. As the reunion planning committee was putting everything together, someone suggested we have an “honoring passed alumni” table, with photos of our high school graduates who are no longer with us. Sadly, too many bright individuals were taken too soon, with so much potential ahead of them.
With how short our time on Earth is, do we really need gifts to make a celebration feel exciting? Simply having a birthday is a gift in itself. Another year lived… And many more to come! So this year I thankfully accepted that gift of life that I’ve been given. With my good health, loving family, and faithful friends I already have everything I need.
There’s something about getting older that makes me look inward at myself and who I am towards others. I’m not sure I come out looking all that great on my own critical self-evaluation. Thankfully, there is time to do better. Time to do more. My hope is that this next year I will embrace opportunities to help, I’ll learn to really listen, and I’ll continue to find joy in the small things. Especially my 5 favorite things people. 🙂
It wasn’t a birthday filled with party hats and streamers. But it was filled with all of my favorite things: hugs, laughter, loved ones, and CHOCOLATE! My husband picked out a fantastic M&M-topped, Kit-Kat covered chocolate cake. He wins all the points!
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