DAY SEVEN -- FIFTY ACTS OF KINDNESS -- Why take a break? Today there's 51 reasons.
(For those of you that are following, here’s my early morning. For those of you that just joined us, please read the previous posts and LIKE me on Facebook to hear more.)
Today I’m posting the end of a magazine article I wrote when I turned 47. Today I’m 51 and I feel even more strongly about these words. I am posting my most precious present this year: Forest.
"I have bad days, sick friends and a cat with hairballs. I enjoy using sarcasm. I know that tragedy is random. So what is it with this birthday glow thing? It’s about finding a memory of happiness and replicating it. It’s about the greenness of trees, the feel of my dog’s fur, lighting a candle, kissing my daughters goodnight. It’s my daughter, who grew beans even though she doesn’t like eating them. She likes watching them grow.
No one else is going to celebrate you the other 364 days of the year better than you. You may never lose the weight, get the promotion or like the way you look in jeans but let’s look at the big picture, shall we? When you are six feet under will it really matter? No one’s gravestone says “Beloved CEO whose butt looked awesome in jeans.”
So go ahead, toot your own horn. Light candles for breakfast. Dress up. Smile. Share. Plant a seed. Find beauty in your own backyard. And Happy Birthday from a woman who knows that the secret to aging gracefully is to enjoy your birthday 365 days a year.”
So this year all I have to say is thanks for sharing this journey people. You’re awesome.
Ellyn Oaksmith is the author of funny, twisty contemporary novels such as Adventures with Max and Louise and Divine Moves. Please visit Ellyn at Ellyn Oaksmith.com, Facebook and Twitter.
USA:
http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Max-Louise-Originally-published-ebook/dp/B009NFNDR0
http://www.amazon.com/Divine-Moves-Ellyn-Oaksmith-ebook/dp/B00H1ZC8UW
UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Adventures-Max-Louise-Ellyn-Oaksmith/dp/0062268112/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410972490&sr=8-1&keywords=adventures+with+max+and+louise
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Divine-Moves-Ellyn-Oaksmith-ebook/dp/B00H1ZC8UW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410972455&sr=8-1&keywords=divine+moves
