So, my birthday will go down as one of the best days ever, SERIOUSLY, because it was absolutely awesome. Between waking up to tweets & emails & Facebook posts & getting this adorable video & cards & texts & calls & all sorts of other goodies. My students surprised me with cakes & cards & sweetness.
Andrew went above & beyond: I was told to meet him in downtown Sacramento, & after a short walk, we arrived at a bicycle shop, & now I am the proud owner of a new turquoise beach cruiser bike! After seeing “Date Night” (which was hilarious!) we had a lovely dinner at Il Fornaio, where we were seated at what they called “The Table Of Honor” which meant appetizers, a pasta appetizer, an entree & dessert. I also had a sidecar, which got me tipsy, & yes, you had to basically roll me out of there when dinner was done.
It was an INCREDIBLE day. So full of love. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.
For me, birthdays are half fun & half serious. I spend a lot of time thinking about what I want to accomplish in the next year, about what I hope to be like when I turn the next age, about taking stock of where I’m at & where I hope to be. I know I spend much of this blog ranting on about goals & hopes & dreams & how inspired I am & all sorts of other drivel that I’m sure is quite painful to read over & over again, but yeah, that’s what I’m thinking about. Again. I AM SORRY.
The picture above says it all…to find you, to be you, & to be happy with that. I like to think I’ve found me, well, most of me. Now, to work on being me, & most importantly, being happy with me. It’s a constant battle, isn’t it? This being happy with ourselves. I’m slowly but surely learning that the more I work towards what it is that I really, really want, the more I feel like me.
Every year, I try & focus on a few things to keep me on track for the next year, things I hope to say I’ve done by my next birthday.
This year, I’m hoping & dreaming & scheming about:
- Writing. Doing it, daily. Looking for chances to write for money, but mostly, just writing for myself, because I love it.
- Health. Not weight loss only, but on eating well, on making exercise part of my life, more yoga, lots of bike rides & veggies & things that are good for me.
- Joy. Lately, I’ve been reminded that there is so much good in my life, so much love. I want to focus on more of THAT. More good stuff, less stressing about things I can’t control & more enjoyment of the small, good things that fill my days.
Three seemingly small things, but things that I know will make my life so much better.
What are YOU focused on right now? Do you set goals on your birthday?
Again, seriously, THANK YOU. Thank you so, so, so much. This place makes my life immeasurably better, every single day.
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OOH yay for awesome birthday’s!
Right now I’m focused on getting myself out of debt. I never knew it took so much focus to pay off debts, and try to save money here and there. Right now I have nothing extra for the wants in life, but all the needs are taken care of, and that’s okay for me.
I generally set goals whenever I feel the need. I don’t wait til specific days in order to do it. If i want to accomplish something I’ll set the goal that day, and start working on it as best I can.
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I totally set goals on my birthday. Whether I reach them or not is another issue…
Happy Birthday again! You deserve a great birthday.
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Yay for awesome birthdays! 2010 was awesome, if I do say so myself. It was a low-key day, but a good one.
SO glad you had a great day as well.
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I love that quote. I’m focused on writing and exercising regularly right now
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This sounds like the perfect break for you, and the perfect interlude in what’s been a stressful spring. More of this for Amy, ok universe? =)
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I love this quote. This is definitely one of the best mottos to live by.
I am so glad you had such a wonderful, special day!
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Ahhhh, your birthday came and went and I didn’t even know it!!! BUT, we can celebrate with a birthday brunch on Saturday…what say you? Birthday girl dessert? I think so!
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What a good day for you! I always set these kind of vague goals, and that’s been good enough for me so far!
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“…to find you, to be you, & to be happy with that.”
Best thing I’ve heard all day!
Happy belated birthday, Amy!:)
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Yeah, happy birthday. I am with your first commentor. I set goals whenever I feel the need but my most pressing two goals are, live in the moment and follow my gut.
Sadie at heyMamas
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I love that you take a time-out around your birthday to reflect on the year that was, where you are now and the year to come. While I’m not as rigorous about when I reflect, there are definitely times during the year when I ask myself if what I’m doing now (a) makes me happy and (b) is leading me in the direction I want to head. I make minor adjustments and then continue on my way. It’s nice to know that in a world full of so many variables, you actually can control quite a few of them.
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that sounds like the perfect birthday to me, glad it was so wonderful. hopefully mine will be just as awesome on sunday
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Since my birthday is December 15th, it’s not the best time to set goals. For that, I wait until the new year (like everyone else) since they actually have a chance to be implemented then.
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