45.

Do we really take the time to celebrate all that we are?

Tomorrow I turn 45. For the last few weeks I’ve complained and feared this number – it’s mid-life well and truly. I felt the same way about turning 40 a few years ago. Really it is just a number, it comes and goes, nothing changes in a day.

Yet I’ve felt sadness to be leaving 44 behind. I liked the sound of 44, its a high vibration number, it is even, double digits, there is still a mild resemblance of youth about it – maybe that’s just wishful thinking LOL.

When I examine 44… I realise I have made it ’special’ and when we make something ’special’, we place expectations, and with expectations usually comes disappointment. I put quite a lot of pressure on myself to achieve quite a few unrealistic goals – all in one year.

Tony Robbins quotes ‘We overestimate what we can do in one year, and underestimate what we can do in 5’. Yep that was me. I wrote goals after my last birthday – which included becoming a full time coach, holding my first retreat, launching an e-course, travelling to NYC again, having all debt paid off… and the big one, finding ‘the one’. I can safely say that NONE of those goals materialised, which may have added to the melancholy of previous months.

I also put added pressure on myself to launch my new signature programs and a give-way on my birthday. With the chaos of the past week, massive workload and party preparations – I am accepting today, that the launch just isn’t going to happen tomorrow. And I am ok with that! I can take the whole month of May to introduce you to my new offerings and an awesome give-away, that I’m busting to tell you about.

I usually LOVE my birthdays. Not for the gifts, the cake or the parties. I love this day so much, for the connection – it is the day that I feel the most connected to others. All of my beloved family and friends take the time out of their busy days, to call, message or visit… and to me that is precious, as life is about connection. It is what we all value the most.

Life is also meant to be celebrated and sometimes we don’t celebrate enough. Our birthday’s should be celebrated. Not for turning one year older and I am not referring to going out and drinking or dancing till the sun comes up. I am referring to celebrating all that is us.

I am great at practising gratitude for all that I am thankful for, but sometimes I don’t take to celebrate, as I should. I can complain about all the things that didn’t happen in my 44th year, or the ups and downs, stress and disappointments….or I can celebrate all that did happened and all that was achieved. And it was really a huge year, therefore I am going to take the time to celebrate it, and share it with you 🙂

~ I have gained many new amazing friends.
~ I studied and graduated as a qualified life coach (soon to be certified).
~ I launched a second business.
~ I coached several clients
~ I hit design business goals
~ I gained new design opportunities
~ I supported myself and my son for another year
~ I have taken part in countless webinars, seminars, courses & workshops
~ I learned new styles of meditation
~ I developed ninja skills negotiating teenage mood swings
~ I dated (briefly)
~ I consciously decided to take a break from dating
~ I gave up sugar (my 3 month trial is up on my birthday! – which is also International No Diet Day)
~ I lost 6 kilos – 6!!! (just by giving up said sugar)
~ I burnt out and came back slowly
~ I watched 7 years of Gilmore Girls in 7 weeks (that’s a story for another day)
~ I worked with my own coach for 3 months
~ I sort help when I needed it
~ I wrote my first blogs and created a hell of a lot of great content
~ I started the outline for my book
~ I produced a 30 day transformation program
~ I explored my ‘why’ and my vision
~ I created 3 new programs for my coaching business
~ I spent many days and evenings with friends and loved ones
~ I was available to my friends when they needed me
~ I connected with my son
~ I overcome fears, learned lessons and gained new insight
~ I found clarity and direction

Therefore today I celebrate and I will take the time to feel into the joy of the year of 44. I am thankful for all the experiences, good and not so good and I am proud of the year that was. No more complaining – it only keeps me stuck. Age is what it is. I have a huge life left to live… more experiences to have, more countries to visit, more friends to make, more desserts to eat, more programs to launch, and more clients to serve.

An acquaintance mentioned last week that they were going to make ‘the next 10 years, the best 10 years’ and I’ve decided that I am adopting that attitude too!

Happy Birthday to Me 🙂