It’s the Anniversary of my 29th Birthday (again!)

It’s the Anniversary of my 29^th Birthday (again!).  And I like to kick and Streeetch a la Sally O’Malley.  I went to the doctor to get tested for allergies as a preliminary strike in preparation for this big one.  After all the poking and prodding he came in dressed in his white smock, with a large stack of papers and said (and here you have to imagine that German accent):

“You know all the stuff you like?”

“Yes”, I nodded in anticipation.

“Well, you have to give it all up!”

…And isn’t that the way it goes?

One of my friends has a saying he repeats frequently:

“If I knew I’d live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself!”

I know Birthdays are Celebrations of one’s Life, but I never quite felt like rejoicing the passage of yet another year.  That’s when I have to take inventory of my Life and see if the trajectory traveled that year is on target with my Life’s goals.  I still have 647 more places to see on my list of “1,000 Places to Visit Before you Die” and I’m still working on myself: “God please give me patience, but give it to me NOW!!”

I don’t like getting older, but I prefer it to the alternative…  I keep telling myself:  “This is the youngest you’ll ever be…”

Every Birthday is a reminder of our limited time here and the value and magic of each day.   It’s so easy to take it all for granted.  What would you do if you knew this was your very last Birthday?  Would you make some changes in your Life?  Would you start each day with a prayer of thanks?  Would you tell the people you love how important they are to you?  Would you hug them tighter, speak sweeter, kiss and caress them more often?  Would you leave them random notes and cards telling them how much you care and how important they are to you?  Would you inhale your food’s aromas and savor each bite?  Would you see your dear friends more often?  Would you write your significant other a Love Letter?  Would you take long walks through the forest and stroll barefoot on the Beach more often?  Would you delve fully into the moments of your Life?  

Yes, a good part of my Life is now over.  It has been a rich Life.  I have lived it MY Way.  I have swum against the current and dared to do things others only dream of.  I have accomplished a lot and I’ve made a lot of mistakes.  I have dusted myself off when I fell, kept my chin up and started climbing again.  I have been relentless.  I have been a dreamer and through it all I’ve remained an Optimist.  I see the good in everyone and the potential for greatness, and oh, how much that inspires me! 

I am grateful for all that I have!  My blessings are too many to enumerate, but I have a long list of them I keep and ponder on with regularity.  I have everything I need and everything I want.  I am enormously appreciative for it all and give thanks for having the opportunity for more moments. 

Happy Birthday to me and Happy Life to you!  Go live it!

Mirela Monte, Your Eternal Optimist                         Life’s short; Live it Well!