I celebrated a birthday this week. I’m generally meh about birthdays unless I get to travel (which isn’t that often). Birthdays are like New Years to me. Another time to reflect on where I am, where I want to be, what I’ve accomplished or haven’t, and what I need to do to get there. So unless I’m on vacation, birthdays can be a little heavy being overly reflective.
However, that is where good friends and family come in. I was overwhelmed by texts, emails, and Facebook posts with well wishes. It made my day! I had a chance to hang out with new friends that help add balance and round out the areas that are lacking in my life. Each friend is a puzzle piece attached to me that enhances my character. I think that is the trick to this life and living thing – finding that balance between striving for goals, being ambitious, loving family but reserving time for yourself and learning to enjoy the moments – the small simple pleasures. As the saying goes, life isn’t a dress rehearsal. It is a live show with bleepers and blunders along the way. But it also offers so many wonderful surprises and joys. I find nothing as heart-warming as hearing from my babies. No matter how old they get, I still see the child in my nieces and nephews -that age of innocence. I’m amazed how that with the birth of each one my heart expands with overwhelming love and joy but also becomes more fragile because I hold them more precious and dear to me than myself. They keep me up with worry and yet give me tears of joy. Darn it these kids are making this skeptic and cynic soft.
My New Year’s post ended with this: “For 2013, may success and luck find you and may you retain your ability to smile at simple pleasures – like kids enjoying a snowball fight. I dare you to have fun!” I need to follow my own advice more ardently and dare myself to not only have fun more often, but to enjoy it.
Ah yes Snoopy had to make an appearance for the birthday. You gotta love the cool relaxed air of Snoopy!
To all the July babies out there – we rock and we know it.
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Ronda is an attorney, writer, and entrepreneur. She is a contributing writer for the Huffington Post. Originally from Chicago, she has lived in Los Angeles and New York. She loves to travel and is passionate about education equity, especially for first generation college students.
Ronda is an attorney, writer, and entrepreneur. She is a contributing writer for the Huffington Post. Originally from Chicago, she has lived in Los Angeles and New York. She loves to travel and is passionate about education equity, especially for first generation college students.