Today is a special day for me.  I was born on July 8, 1954.  That is exactly 54 years ago today!  I have been intrigued and inspired by the numbers of 1954 and being 54 today.  I started thinking about it and realized it will only happen once in my lifetime.  I don't know if you noticed when your birth year and actual years matched or not.  Have you experienced this yet?  However, for some reason I think it is special and I thought about my life and my future this year.  For some reason I feel it is going to be a significant year for me, my family, and my business.

Growing up it used to bother me that I had a birthday in the summer time when all of my friends were out of town, on vacation or not around to celebrate with me on my summer birthday.  I thought it was fun and pretty neat when my friends had a birthday party during the school year to celebrate with all the kids in our classroom.  But, I have never been typical or average or had a typical life.  I did not realize that I have truly had some significant people and experiences happen to me in my life.  One of my friends told me that she could not see me have an average life. I have loved adventure and variety.  Some people are comfortable with the same old thing.  Not me, I like change and variety.  I have been told by many that they love my enthusiasm and passion for life.  I remember what my Mom used to tell us.  "Don't walk around like dead people, enjoy life and let that joy and enthusiasm spill over to those around you.  Enjoy each moment and relish that it is a gift for you and for others."    

Although as I get older I like more stability sprinkled with fun and variety.  Why do I share this with our Active Rain Community?  Because, I desire to have some of the biggest breakthroughs in every area of my life, my business and overcome some of the biggest challenges I have ever faced this year.  I know the economy is down right now, but instead of doom and gloom, I choose faith and life!  You see I have the most amazing business partner, who is God.  Without him, I cannot do a thing.  My extra dose of creativity and strength definitely are gifts from Him.

I was the unexpected child to a very young teenage couple that came from very humble beginnings.  Had they experienced some of the wonderful opportunities I had, I know they could have really done some incredible things.  You see my Dad had to drop out of high school and to work since his older brother went to the Korean War to help support his immediate family.  Later, he became a truck driver and made a decent living.  He did not have a glamorous life.  My handicapped mother worked very hard sometimes two and three jobs at a time to provide for us.  They may not have been perfect but they certainly tried their best.  They taught me that it was important to do my best no matter what my brothers and I did.  My mother told me all of the time, "You can be and do anything!"  Guess what?  I believed her.  I experienced several different types of jobs.  (However Interior Redesigns have always been part of my life.)  She reminded me to do everything I did like someone cared.  She would also say, "Make an impression by going the extra mile.  Don't just throw things together.  Look and see how you can make it better.   Put your heart into everything you do!"  So I did.  If you read my previous post of "Are You A Graduate of Hard Knocks University?" you will understand where I came from, what challenges I have faced and what I have learned. 

I think as we get older, we do get wiser and learn from our life lessons and experiences.  I used to hear life began at 40.  But for me life began at 50.  I read in a NAWBO SmartBrief once that when women go through a midlife crisis, they usually don't have an affair or have to buy that Red Sports Car.  Women usually finally go after their lifetime dream and start a new career!  That is what I did in creating my own business of One Day Redesigns and now The Color and Redesign Institute here in Boise, Idaho.   Statistics confirm that more than ever before women are starting new businesses across the country.  It was also verified in various figures through the Small Business Administration.   

I have been truly blessed with a remarkable husband, Dan.  Our adopted son has also been a wonderful and unexpected gift for us, too!  They shower me with love and encouragement all of the time.  Some days I just feel like a millionaire.  Money can come and go, but you cannot put a price tag on those blessings and gifts! 

So my birthday wish for you today, is that whether you are a woman or a man, that you would breakthrough in your business, your life and your relationships this year.  May you have a significant, special and rewarding year.  You see when I write my posts here on Active Rain, my hope is that my words will bring someone a word of encouragement, hope and definitely inspiration!  I have been told all my life by my teachers, supervisors, elders and family members that I had a gift to bring motivation and inspiration to others.  I want to live up to my calling and gifting.  We can do it.  Not alone, but together!  That thought brings me great joy! 

May you have a Colorful Day! 

©2008 Irene Woodworth