Yesterday was my 70th birthday, and it was the best day of my life.
Actually, that’s true every year on my birthday.
As many of you know, each year, I proclaim my birthday as a day of ultimate self-care. This means that I intentionally do things that enhance my health and well-being. I make sure that I exercise, even if it’s just a twenty-minute walk, which is exactly what I did yesterday. I pay extra attention to eating in healthy ways and remind myself about having a piece of fruit and drinking water.
I usually make time for an afternoon cup of tea along with reading or other nurturing activities. This year, my sister treated me to afternoon coffee and we had a great visit. My brothers and sisters all sent Happy Birthday emails and Facebook made me think I have a huge number of close friends. Thank you so much to all of you!
I also told many people my age, and here’s why– it’s just a number! When I was in my 20’s, I decided that I would never make a big deal out of my age and I wouldn’t fret about which birthday I was having. So no teasing about “still 29” or fretting about age 40 being over the hill. Instead, I celebrate each year by choosing to feel happy and blessed.
No birthday cake!
Here’s the most important thing. I rarely eat cake or dessert on my birthday anymore. This has become a great way to remember my ultimate goal, which is taking good care of myself.
The best part of celebrating my birthday this way is that instead of feeling depressed about being another year older, I usually feel great at the end of the day. And the next year when my birthday comes around again, I’ll follow the same plan, including labeling that day as the best day of my life.
This may not seem like a message about managing your weight. But I think how you celebrate your birthday is symbolic of your approach to life in general. So even if your next birthday is a long way off, begin making plans now for making it the best day of your life!
And when that day comes, celebrate being blessed!