So, I am turning 38 tomorrow. Little known fact, I have actually been 38 for the past 6 months. Let me explain. When you have kids the priority of your celebrations go down. There is a lot more invested in the celebrations of your kids. I rarely think about my birthday, so much so that if people ask me my age I genuinely have to think about it. As I was born in 1981 and it is 2019 that is 38 years difference hence I have been 38 for the past 6 months (based on the panic math I do when I am asked).
I had a revelation recently. My wife turned 40 and while I understand that this can be a difficult milestone, I did not see things that way. To me I felt like it was an opportunity to celebrate who she is and what she has accomplished. She has the life experience from years of highs and lows. She has friends, family and connections a plenty. These are great things and worth celebrating. There is a quote from the book of Isaiah that I love and that illustrates my point, "forget the former things and do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up, do you not perceive it?"
Dwelling on the past can make you miss the future. When new things pop up, its so easy to miss them when you are looking elsewhere. Who I was is not who I am. I am better than that person. I have more to offer those I love and my community. I am excited because I hold to an optimistic view of the future. That optimism is rooted in the belief that the future is full of potential good. It doesn't deny difficulties, but rather embraces them as part of the collective experience.
Happy Birthday to me I say. I wont fix my mind of missed opportunities or failed endeavours. I will wait with expectation to see what new circumstance comes my way. I will work hard to further the best interest of me and my family. I will be a better friend. I will be healthier. I will love more. I will take more time to express myself artistically. Not because I have done these things perfectly in the past, but because I choose to believe this is my year.
