Fifty

It’s been half a century since I took my first breath of fresh air. And still, each glorious time my lungs fill, I'm in awe of the moments and experiences along the way.

I celebrated with family and friends over the weekend for a couple of days, focused on what was all about me, which I like to do every day. The weather held out for my birthday, so I could enjoy even more fresh air with so many beautiful souls who popped by for a big hug and conversation.

Today the skies are grey, and the sound of rain is washing away the dust and grime from what the winter season left behind. I look forward to seeing the green emerge from the brown wastelands of dried leaves and hibernating grass.

Later today, I'll be picking up a (hopefully) new family member, Aussie. He's a 13-year-old brown tabby whose owners were looking for a new home. We visited him and his brothers on the weekend, and my heart was hooked as we walked in, and he was there to greet us, ready for pets and cuddles. No fear, only love in his eyes. We will have him for a few days to see how things work with Shack (9-year-old black short hair) and Rex (our one-year-old grey little tiger). The timing of seeing his owner's post has timed well with the growth in my heart wanting to give more love and nurturing as our girls start aging out of their teen years.

What impressive insights can I share today? Outside of whatever is on your plate dragging you down both mentally and emotionally, choose a smaller plate, and as you walk past this buffet of life, go for the flavour and leave the filler on the table. I have spent the first 50 years of my life worrying so much about others, and the weight of it all has never actually moved me forward, only kept me in one space juggling away.

My next century is going to be all about appreciating the air I breathe and spreading the joy I create inside with others.

This next year I'll be diving into growing myLife Planners into a space where I can promote the tools that will support my mission to inspire you and those around you to love themselves enough to embrace and plan for more wonder and wonder joy. It's the pebble I hope that will ripple a joyous change in how we interact with others, replacing divisiveness with collaboration.