November 11, 2009
Birthday Thoughts
Today is my 35th Birthday. I can remember when 35 seemed so old, so settled, so pulled together and past its prime. Thank goodness life has taught me that old is only as old as you feel. I don’t feel very old.
What I do feel, finally, is that I have a trajectory in life that is good and challenging and just suited for me. It’s not built by any ideas of what I or life should be; it’s not founded on anyone else’s ideas or dreams; it’s just the path of life that has been set out for me. I come back again and again to that idea.
Yesterday, I was re-reading Brenda Miller’s fabulous essay “The Blessing of the Animals” (which is the title essay in her new collection that I’m dying to read). A theme in her work is often the ability of a person to fully be themselves, or as she quotes of Emerson in the essay, “You are constantly invited to be what you are.” I am finally, at age 35, able to say that I am happy with who I am.
So for this birthday, my gift to myself is to live this all the way – big hair, word fascination, pear-shape, emotional reactions, steady demeanor, lover of people, and all. I am made this way for a reason, and I am going to celebrate it. Happy birthday to me.
– To live like an animal, only and fully what that animal is, like a humpback whale breaching.
P.S. Please take a look at my post from yesterday and leave a comment. It would be great to give away the book and for me to win another. You can do it for my birthday.
Filed by Andi at 6:25 am under Book Recommendations, Teaching Triumphs and Travails, Uncategorized, Written and Wrought
8 Comments
Happy birthday, Andi!
Happy birthday to you. I remember 35. 30’s were very good for me.
I turn 46 on Friday.
Happy Birthday, Andi! Thanks for being you!
Happy birthday!!!!! I hope you have a wonderful day.
Happy Birthday! Enjoy your day!
Hey, happy birthday. You have a pretty cool blog! This is my first time here. I will have to check your posts from time to time. Enjoy =]
Happy belated Birthday!!!! You are right in the only as old as you feel phrase. There are days I cannot believe I have a 19 (almost) year old daughter. Whew!!
Have a great birthday year!
Blessings to you, Andi. In many ways, my life as I know it did not begin until the year I turned 35. May new directions and layers of living open wide for all that you are and all that you dream. With love, ~Karen