Birthday

I recently celebrated my birthday.  It was a milestone birthday, a BIG ONE!!!   It is interesting as I reach this milestone, which represents so many things to so many people around me, I can’t help but conjure up lots of conflicting feelings and emotions.

I am of course thrilled to be able to wake up, see the sunshine, breath in the wonderful air and enjoy this milestone day in the first place.  Many are not able to do even that!  I am excited to share the joy of celebration with my family and friends.  That is the spice and flavor in life that makes it all worth living!

It makes me think of family and friends in the past.  Those that reached this same milestone and many more.  And, of course, those that did not reach this milestone, and those that already know they won’t.  It makes me look around at people and wonder what they are thinking about in reaching this same milestone, and how does it impact what they do every day.

This milestone makes me especially think of purpose and meaning in what I do each day.  Am I living up to my true purpose?  Do I have a clear enough mission?  Do my actions and priorities advance that mission every day?  Am I authentic to my true self?

These are all such important questions to ask, and each milestone birthday has helped me, personally, lock in more tightly on that purpose.  As I assess right here right now, I am feeling very confident that I am pursuing my purpose and staying true to my mission.  I must admit that those feelings and observations get challenged very, very regularly, almost every day!  But I do my best to keep testing and trying and advancing.

There are so many activities, people, and actions around us that can distract us from our purpose and mission.  It sometimes feels easy to let go and give up – “Ah, Heck with it!!  I can just go on and do this other stuff and be okay.” Okay?? Is Okay the place you want to invest your precious time each day?  It might be if you are currently in a place that is not okay, then yes.  But the question is always how long will you stay in just okay?  Is there opportunity to see more, do more?

On this milestone birthday I think of all that are experiencing their own milestones and life events.  I am reminded of my own purpose and the importance I now place on reaching it, every day, and I hope others are able to consciously pursue their own mission and purpose in their own way and at the pace that is important for them.

Here’s to many more!!