Today I finished another 365 day orbit around the sun. Just finished up my 37th year on this planet. Yup. Itâs my birthday. 
I tend to get a bit reflective around this time. And man has A LOT happened since last September.
I completed my first year as an elementary school general music teacher. I moved in with my boyfriend and secretly surprised him with a CRAZY piece of piano music (#Rach3foraRock). I got engaged. (!!!!!!) I performed in a solo and collaborative piano recital. I held my grandmotherâs hand as she took her last breath. I completed a Body Therapy program I had been working on for the past 5 years. I traveled to France, Poland and England over the summer. I am planning a wedding. I am getting married in 76 days!
Iâve learned a few things this year. And the previous 36. I could go into more details, but Iâll just leave it as a simple list. Here we go:
- Donât sweat the small stuff.
- No one is perfect. Not even you. Go easy on yourself.
- Slow down. Waaaaaaay down.
- Itâs OK to say âI donât know.â And even better than making something up that you donât really mean.
- If youâre not happy with yourself, youâll never be happy in a relationship.
- Start with YOU first.
- Friends come and go.
- No one knows you better than you.
- Everyone deals with death differently â and every death is different.
- Donât try to be someone youâre not.
- Donât compare yourself to others, especially if it makes you feel worse about yourself.
- Vacations are a good thing. A VERY good thing.
- Travel light.
- Take time to unplug.
- It will aaaaaaaaaaall get done. No stress.
- If youâre passionate, you will prioritize.
- Quiet time is key.
- Meditation is also key.
- If you blame it on someone else, donât expect it to get better.
- Forgive others in your own time.
- Itâs never too late to make a change for yourself.
- It doesnât make you spoiled to let others take care of you sometimes.
- Going to bed early doesnât mean you donât have a life.
- When you need a reality check, ask a child what they think about you.
- Then again, donât take what children say too seriously (âout of the mouths of babesâŠâ)
- Take time to play.
- Honesty is the kindest thing you can offer people.
- If itâs funny, laugh. Even at your coworkers.
- Read more. Get lost in a novel.
- Listen to music you wouldnât normally listen to.
- Stand-up comedy is the best way to get through traffic.
- Take time to indulge in your creativity.
- Remember, you canât please everyone.
- Also remember to breathe.
- Pinterest is amazing, but donât compare your life (or wedding!) to it.
- For the right person, you wonât have to hide any parts of yourself.
- Do you, your way.
So there ya go.
This morningâs workout was a theme of â37â.
37 reps.
37 minute workout.
My day continued with some lovely gifts from coworkers and my fiancé (yey, Star Wars!), school cookies and student cupcakes. It was a good day.
Now I am going to let my fiancé spoil me with his gift of cooking.
Do what makes you happy.
Especially on your birthday.