Sunday, September 23, 2012

thoughts on my birthday...


The way my family loves me has always made me feel 
in my secret heart 
that I am somehow extraordinary.  

As a child, 
I knew I must be remarkable because my parents were so amazing 
and they thought I was fantastic.  How could they be wrong?  

In my twenties, 
I came to see that we all contain bits of the extraordinary, 
but that most of us settle into mediocrity far too easily.

In my thirties, 
my focus became raising my own daughter in a way 
that would make her feel extraordinary.  

In my forties, 
(Now that I am 42, I am comfortable with being "in my forties.")
I know that most of us live ordinary lives. 
But that makes those lives no less extraordinary. 

In my forties, 
I know that lavish loving is what makes us,
and those we love, extraordinary.  

In my forties, 
I am committed to finding beauty everywhere.  
I am committed to living fully and to laughing every single day.

In my forties, 
I am committed to doing each task that comes my way with 
energy, gratitude, and as much grace as I can muster.

Because, here's what I've learned:

There is magic in the simple pleasure of an ordinary life.
There is grace in forgiveness and compassion.

There is transformation in gratitude.
There is joy in simple pleasures.

I am certain
there is nothing better than a life spent on lavish, generous, serving love.  

27 comments:

Chris Graham said...

Happy Birthday dear lady. What a beautiful post!
I agree that the secret to life is gratitude that is embedded deep in your heart. That allows you to see the simple joys and pleasures of life each and every day.

Claire said...

Sweet girl, this was beautiful. The ordinary and the extraordinary - where they meet, that's life! Wishing you a very, very happy birthday.

Jeanne said...

Happy Birthday my sweet friend.
Celebrate you and surround yourself with people that do.
Bonne Fete.

Love Jeanne

Suz said...

Happy Birthday Relyn!
I'll take ordinary any day
There is much to be said for
ordinary glorious days
surrounded by loving family
living our faith
being a good steward of our talents
yes 40's were good
and 60's aren't bad either

Mac n' Janet said...

Happy Birthday! Lovely post, you've learned a lot in a very short time. I remember my forties and though I'd gained some wisdom I definitely still had some growing to do.
I'll have my 66th on Friday and I'm still learning.

joyce said...

happy Birthday Relyn,,,what a great oost. (PS, you're the same age as me)

Anita said...

Many blessings to you on your birthday and in the coming year. If everyone could live their lives as you live yours, we would all be better for it.

Anonymous said...

A very happy birthday to you, dear Relyn! What you say is so true. A great post. xox

S. Etole said...

What you share with us is beyond the ordinary. May your year be blessed in every way.

Sweet Tea said...

Happy Birthday, sweet blogger.
You are wise and extraordinary beyond your years!

Marilyn Miller said...

You have learned your lessors well. It is the simple pleasures that bring JOY. Happy Birthday again. Hope you are celebrating all month.

Unknown said...

Happy birthday! I love how you embrace joy!

Roban said...

These are beautiful thoughts and so true. Happy, happy birthday, Relyn!

Deanna Bland Hiott PhD, MSN, RN said...

Happy Birthday, Relyn. Exquisite :)

Suvarna said...

Happy Birthday my dear friend, and thank you for being your wonderful, loving, beautiful self.
Love,
xoxoxoxox
Suvarna

Amy said...

Happiest of birthday wishes to you--and may the celebration continue, the whole year through!
xoxo

PS--And thank you for the lovely post--a perfect party favor, if you ask me! :)

Joanna Jenkins said...

Happy, happy Birthday, Relyn. You have your priorities straight.
xo jj

Georgianna said...

Happy, Happy Birthday, dear Relyn! Thank you for the generosity and insight of this post and the heartfelt and true wisdom you share. You ARE extraordinary, as is the way you live your life. xoxo

Kyra said...

@Relyn I wish u a very happy birthday filled with wonderful things, smiles, happiness, prayers, love and more and a wonderful year ahead filled with only the best that life has to offer to.

Even with your blog, you are positive presence in my life, the things you share, the thoughts that u have to offer and the person you are, stay blessed, stay loved full of smiles and joy :)

Hugs

Meeta

Kirsten Steen said...

Happy Birthday, Relyn! Hope it was spectacular. And love your post. I am working on gratitude and the transformation that goes with it. Wishing you a most transformational year!
xoxo, Kirsten

Jeanie said...

Oh, my friend, there is more than magic and grace and transformation. It's the wisdom that knows how to recognize them and live them. Every day. Like you do.

Happy Birthday, my friend!

Angie Muresan said...

Happy (belated) Birthday, Relyn! I wish you a gorgeous and joy filled year ahead. Love this post!

Tracy said...

Happy Birthday belated, dear Relyn! You are a treasure. How glad I am to know you. :o) Wishing you a beautiful new birthday year. I'll be 40 end of the year, and I've been loving my 30's, so looking forward to the next decade. Great to catch up with you! I've been offline a few days having some fun, just now surfacing! Happy Weekend ((HUGS))

HKatz said...

Happy Birthday!! May you have a wonderful year to come.

What you wrote here is beautiful. You've thankfully not become jaded/cynical/indifferent/burned out/living in a rut... you're mature but also young, and your ability to see the wonderment of life is a true gift. I'm glad you share it here on a regular basis.

Jennifer Richardson said...

you are a beautiful wonder, Relyn.
I'm honored
and grateful
to know you:)
-Jennifer

Elizabeth Halt said...

Happy happy birthday, dear Relyn. You are a treasure and an inspiration. I want to bookmark this post.

May your year be full of lavish generous love.

xo

awareness said...

Beautiful lessons learned and earned...... transformation in gratitude. Yes. Grace is a saver.

Happy Belated Birthday!!!

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