Today I finished another 365 day orbit around the sun. Just finished up my 37th year on this planet. Yup. It’s 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 grandmother’s 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!
I’ve learned a few things this year. And the previous 36. I could go into more details, but I’ll just leave it as a simple list. Here we go:
- Don’t sweat the small stuff.
- No one is perfect. Not even you. Go easy on yourself.
- Slow down. Waaaaaaay down.
- It’s OK to say “I don’t know.” And even better than making something up that you don’t really mean.
- If you’re not happy with yourself, you’ll 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 — and every death is different.
- Don’t try to be someone you’re not.
- Don’t 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 you’re passionate, you will prioritize.
- Quiet time is key.
- Meditation is also key.
- If you blame it on someone else, don’t expect it to get better.
- Forgive others in your own time.
- It’s never too late to make a change for yourself.
- It doesn’t make you spoiled to let others take care of you sometimes.
- Going to bed early doesn’t mean you don’t have a life.
- When you need a reality check, ask a child what they think about you.
- Then again, don’t take what children say too seriously (“out of the mouths of babes…”)
- Take time to play.
- Honesty is the kindest thing you can offer people.
- If it’s funny, laugh. Even at your coworkers.
- Read more. Get lost in a novel.
- Listen to music you wouldn’t normally listen to.
- Stand-up comedy is the best way to get through traffic.
- Take time to indulge in your creativity.
- Remember, you can’t please everyone.
- Also remember to breathe.
- Pinterest is amazing, but don’t compare your life (or wedding!) to it.
- For the right person, you won’t have to hide any parts of yourself.
- Do you, your way.
So there ya go.
This morning’s workout was a theme of “37”.
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.