Birthday Thoughts

Today (January 29^th) is my birthday.  It is a day that has changed over the years.  As a kid, my birthday was met with great anticipation.  Not only was the day itself a lot of fun, but so was the idea that I was getting older, as with each passing year, more and more of the world seemed to open up to me.

When my kids were young, my birthday was also a day greeted with great fun and fanfare. I looked forward to homemade cards and being treated to dinner at my favourite restaurant (which was usually not my favourite restaurant but one I knew the kids would like). We spent a lot of birthdays at Moose Winnoskis and Montana’s.

Now, birthdays take on a more reflective tone.  With more of my life in the rearview mirror than in the windscreen, birthdays tend to take me traipsing down memory lane.  This year, as I turn 56, I am feeling very grateful for my life. I have done, seen and experienced some wonderful things.  I have a job that I love and good people around me.  I have also learned a thing or two about life.  So, for fun, here is a list of some of my takeaways from life so far:

1. Never buy a cheap BBQ, it will frustrate you!!
2. Happiness is a by-product of a life lived with purpose and passion.
3. The Leafs will break your heart, over and over and over and over again. But don’t give up on them, because one year they won’t!
4. McDonalds makes really good coffee.
5. If you wait for life to come to you, it will never give you its best.
6. Some of the greatest people in your life are just passing through. And that’s okay. Enjoy them while they’re there.
7. Always have a backup mouse for your computer.
8. Going to the movies alone is an okay thing to do. You don’t talk to people during a movie anyway.
9. Small things count. Every time.
10. Novelty socks are cooler than novelty ties.
11. Life doesn’t owe you anything. As soon as you think it does, you have opened the door to a lot of regret.
12. Some of the greatest people in your life are permanent fixtures and will always be there for you. Cherish those people.
13. Smile! It makes you feel better!!
14. When people say they don’t believe in God, they often do believe in God, they just don’t know that there are options.
15. Your phone has dozens of different ringtones and text tones. Don’t settle for the default ones.
16. The world is beautiful. Like, BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!
17. Your kids are your greatest achievement. Love them with your entire being.
18. You don’t need to carry so many keys.
19. A good church is good for the soul. Even if you don’t agree with everything the preacher says, sitting still for an hour a week, surrounded by good people, is one of life’s true blessings.
20. You don’t know what is around the corner, that’s why it’s a corner. Just be ready.  And remember, you are stronger than you think!

I have enjoyed writing this weekly blog but am going to take a few weeks off.  It’s time to rest the brain for a bit.  I will pick it up again soon, perhaps during Lent.  Thanks for reading!!