Happy Birthday Shanna!! Thank you for sharing this post. I've had those inner battles myself, looking back, most of my life... even as a child. The gift of being in my 50's - realizing I am the only person I truly am accountable to. Finally being able to be comfortable living my life on my terms. Trying to please everyone else (athletic parents), a needy sibling, a pushy husband, a pushy boss (several)... etc. It's exhausting. Trying to fit in to everyone's expectation of you. And why?? I have no idea. No idea why they expect it or why I always felt compelled to try. Yikes.
Any way, I am happily accepting your 'challenge' although I don't see it as such... it's simply a gift we give ourselves.
My birthday is Tuesday and I've asked for donations to the Alzheimers association in my Mum's name... that's my birthday gift. :)
Happy birthday Shanna! Man, I am with you, I have always abhorred the idea of being average. But now I vacillate between wanting to accomplish more and just being. (My philosophy prof. in college said it was very Tao of me that eating and sleeping are my favorite pastimes!)
I feel as though I have already lived several lifetimes in this one. So, I would be happy to check out tomorrow. Unlike you and Tony Robbins, (Every day above ground is a good day!) I see death as the really big adventure and look forward to it, hopefully sooner rather than later. For me, old age is more painful to endure than I care to for very long.
In the meantime I try to be more accepting of the days where I am just being. Sometimes reading, study, and walking the dog are enough of an accomplishment. Não é?
Happy birthday Shanna!! This post gave me goosebumps. It hit home in many ways. Although, I've always celebrated my birthdays. I wasn't suppose to survive, but I'm as stubborn as a mule and held on to life. As much as the state of this world troubles me, I'm still happy to have had the opportunity to experience life and all its beauty. Wishing you a lovely year!!
I am (I think) a little older than you and have had many of the same thoughts you describe (although not as eloquently). I found comfort in the Ralph Waldo Emerson poem (To Laugh Often & Much) because I have created the 'garden patch' he mentions (an organic ¾ acre which the local wildlife see as their personal theme park) and all my dogs have been rescues, which certainly counts as 'to know that one life has breathed easier because you lived here'.
Many happy returns for the weekend. I did not realise you were a Hobbit 😊 for they too are creatures who give gifts on their birthdays, not receive them.
Happy Birthday! I wish you a day full of the things that make you happy. I accepted the challenge and finally wrote back to a dear friend, a reply I kept putting off for no good reason. Thank you!
Happy Birthday, Shanna! I really loved this article. When I was really young, (in my 20's), I had some vague notion of becoming a "big deal" (I have no idea in what way! - I was young!). Your words resonated with me definitely - as to an "ordinary life". I didn't want to be "ordinary" either. But now, all I want is peace of mind.
I didn't realize the extent of the injuries you incurred through your work! I'm really sorry to hear that! I know of some other people who really wrecked their wrists / arms / elbows from working on a laptop.
I am going to give some money to Best Friends Animal Society - that is where I adopted one of my cats, Knox. Thanks for a very thought-provoking article. That coffee also has me thinking how much I miss our chats in the park over coffee!! One of these days, right? ❤️
Happy Birthday Friend :) What you write resonates for me as I look at the big change of leaving life in the US and moving to Portugal. I'm working specifically on slowing down and making work life more manageable so that home life can be more "at ease." :)
Happy birthday for Saturday Shanna!! 🥳 You didn't say how old you were!! It doesn't matter though does it?! I've found myself on a number of occasions thinking, well, what exactly have I done with my life & thought I should have done more! I'm happy with myself though, I treat others well and with courtesy, my manners are good. If I see someone being bullied, I support them however I can. So that part of my life, I am happy with. I regret not travelling more although that's out of the question at the moment! But on the whole my life has been ok, just ok but I think most people wish they'd done a lot more no matter what they have achieved so I am ok with that! Take care Shanna, enjoy your birthday with Milo! Sending Birthday hugs! xx
Happy Birthday Shanna!! Thank you for sharing this post. I've had those inner battles myself, looking back, most of my life... even as a child. The gift of being in my 50's - realizing I am the only person I truly am accountable to. Finally being able to be comfortable living my life on my terms. Trying to please everyone else (athletic parents), a needy sibling, a pushy husband, a pushy boss (several)... etc. It's exhausting. Trying to fit in to everyone's expectation of you. And why?? I have no idea. No idea why they expect it or why I always felt compelled to try. Yikes.
Any way, I am happily accepting your 'challenge' although I don't see it as such... it's simply a gift we give ourselves.
My birthday is Tuesday and I've asked for donations to the Alzheimers association in my Mum's name... that's my birthday gift. :)
Enjoy your weekend. x
Happy birthday Shanna! Man, I am with you, I have always abhorred the idea of being average. But now I vacillate between wanting to accomplish more and just being. (My philosophy prof. in college said it was very Tao of me that eating and sleeping are my favorite pastimes!)
I feel as though I have already lived several lifetimes in this one. So, I would be happy to check out tomorrow. Unlike you and Tony Robbins, (Every day above ground is a good day!) I see death as the really big adventure and look forward to it, hopefully sooner rather than later. For me, old age is more painful to endure than I care to for very long.
In the meantime I try to be more accepting of the days where I am just being. Sometimes reading, study, and walking the dog are enough of an accomplishment. Não é?
Sáude!
Happy birthday Shanna!! This post gave me goosebumps. It hit home in many ways. Although, I've always celebrated my birthdays. I wasn't suppose to survive, but I'm as stubborn as a mule and held on to life. As much as the state of this world troubles me, I'm still happy to have had the opportunity to experience life and all its beauty. Wishing you a lovely year!!
that picture of the coffee ! .. looking over at a table with coffee and those sunglasses means I'm somewhere having a conversation with SHANNA.
I am (I think) a little older than you and have had many of the same thoughts you describe (although not as eloquently). I found comfort in the Ralph Waldo Emerson poem (To Laugh Often & Much) because I have created the 'garden patch' he mentions (an organic ¾ acre which the local wildlife see as their personal theme park) and all my dogs have been rescues, which certainly counts as 'to know that one life has breathed easier because you lived here'.
Many happy returns for the weekend. I did not realise you were a Hobbit 😊 for they too are creatures who give gifts on their birthdays, not receive them.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday! I wish you a day full of the things that make you happy. I accepted the challenge and finally wrote back to a dear friend, a reply I kept putting off for no good reason. Thank you!
Happy Birthday, Shanna! I really loved this article. When I was really young, (in my 20's), I had some vague notion of becoming a "big deal" (I have no idea in what way! - I was young!). Your words resonated with me definitely - as to an "ordinary life". I didn't want to be "ordinary" either. But now, all I want is peace of mind.
I didn't realize the extent of the injuries you incurred through your work! I'm really sorry to hear that! I know of some other people who really wrecked their wrists / arms / elbows from working on a laptop.
I am going to give some money to Best Friends Animal Society - that is where I adopted one of my cats, Knox. Thanks for a very thought-provoking article. That coffee also has me thinking how much I miss our chats in the park over coffee!! One of these days, right? ❤️
I would love to do something to celebrate your birthday and look forward to it! Enjoy a wonderful day of celebrating yourself and best wishes!!
Happy Birthday Friend :) What you write resonates for me as I look at the big change of leaving life in the US and moving to Portugal. I'm working specifically on slowing down and making work life more manageable so that home life can be more "at ease." :)
Happy birthday for Saturday Shanna!! 🥳 You didn't say how old you were!! It doesn't matter though does it?! I've found myself on a number of occasions thinking, well, what exactly have I done with my life & thought I should have done more! I'm happy with myself though, I treat others well and with courtesy, my manners are good. If I see someone being bullied, I support them however I can. So that part of my life, I am happy with. I regret not travelling more although that's out of the question at the moment! But on the whole my life has been ok, just ok but I think most people wish they'd done a lot more no matter what they have achieved so I am ok with that! Take care Shanna, enjoy your birthday with Milo! Sending Birthday hugs! xx