happy birthday to me!

Today, I turn a year older, a year wiser.

I've been thinking a lot about what I'd really like to have this year, how I'd like to grow, things like that ...

I keep coming to the same conclusions year after year ... it's not a larger house or more money or more travel or more social events that I hanker for ...

I'm still a sucker for beautiful stationery though! Beautifully designed notebooks, journals, pens, pencils, pencil crayons, markers ... I love them unabashedly!

Other than those, what I want more of in my life though is the ability to incorporate the serenity prayer.

God, please grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

As I grow older, the more I find that a whole lot of life is not in my control. Whether I win or lose. What others think of me. What others like and don't like. What happens when I try my best. None of these are in my control.

It's also naïve to assume that I can keep trying and keep going on in the face of defeat/failure without pause or respite, without support or encouragement, either from myself or from loved ones.

So, on this very special day of the year, this is my wish.

To go through life with much joy and grace.

To follow my dreams with passion, not envy.

To love without hurting. To receive love as much as being able to give it.

To accept the messiness of life yet not lose my focus in the midst of it all.

To live my life not trying to run away from all that is scary but embracing all the highs and lows.

And trusting myself, trusting the Universe, simply trusting that come what may, I can keep on trying, I can keep going on, for as long as I live. And that alone is enough.