Last year (2021), I was heavily reminded during my birthday week that birthdays aren’t guaranteed and it is a privilege denied to many. Despite the sadness that enveloped me, I thank God that for the peace and ability he gave me to smile and enjoy my special day from above despite having an extremely difficult season.
So with that in mind, I created an ongoing list of things that I would commit myself to do so that I may have that a pocket of peace prayerfully every day from one birthday to another, God willing. I truly wanted to capture the essence and peace of the day AFTER my actual day.
1. Weekly flowers from Trader’s Joe (Flower Fridays!) and upkeeping biweekly manicures so that I look good often and not only on special occasions!
2. Planning ahead for events/trip that I’d looked forward to even if it’s 12 to 18 months away.
3. Not choosing to spend time with people who drain my energy.
4. Learning emotional intimacy with myself.
5. Asking myself if my current lifestyle is the life I desire and prayed for and if not, adjusting things to change it to reflect what I want.
6. Knowing my boundaries clearly, so I don’t cross and choosing what topics I’d like to discuss in various conversations.
7. Stopping to rest when when I’m tired. Certain housekeeping tasks can wait!
8. Staying in therapy! No more hiatus. Life has been heavy and it takes time to process heavy things.
9. Taking sufficient time off before major holidays to be able spend time with my honey x village.
10. Forgiving others and doing an intentional heart check when old situations come up involving past pain.
11. Learning to trust God deeper and myself together in order to be a better woman, wife and friend.
One week away from another year and I pray I’m granted the opportunity of twenty-nine! Though sadness cloaks me again this time of the year and there are many many many life changes also happening simultaneously, I am grateful for life in my body and the opportunity to countdown to life’s celebration.
