I enjoy mind exploration - wondering, imaging and dreaming about what we can do or be. I have no desires to travel to the far reaches of the world, but I do possess the passionate drive to accomplish and learn all I can while I'm here.
Every year on my birthday, I write myself a letter. I date and tuck the letter away in my super duper secret hiding top drawer of my dresser and leave it, untouched for one year. On my birthday, I sit down and write the pages I will read the following year.....and then I read the other one.
I love writing the next years before reading the last years. This allows me the freedom to reflect on the past year, not the past year smattered with what I just read-now-writing-follow-ups. The letters always make me smile, cry, regroup, reset, relax and re-evaluate.
So this morning - on the morn of the 41st year of my birth, I wrote my letter. I thought I'd share snippets of it as examples. The rest is just for me.
May 19th, 2013
My Dearest Shawn,
Forty one! Wow!
Simply thinking about the number makes me actually feel a little weepy this year. It isn't because I feel like I am growing old or I feel like age is becoming an issue - I reflect on the past year (briefly) and am so extremely grateful that I can see the arrival of my 41st year.
The past 9 months have been interesting - a time of survival, healing and renewal. Who would have believed we would have ended up fighting for our life more fiercely than the first time?
The universe reminds us that we are not free from life happening because we have already endured something difficult. I am still grateful and always will be.
Life is an exciting ride even though we must also embrace some grief along the way.
I never understood grateful until I 'endured.' Now that I am finding my latest 'normal' (whatever that is!) I am enjoying life on yet another level. Appreciation - one of the lessons learned again this year (as in past years). I look at my family and know that I am supported, loved and free to be who I am. This is such a cool gift to me!
I have learned to treat myself better through the years and with continued effort, the intention is to live on! Another successful, positive year filled with dreaming, living, loving, creating and exploring. I am always learning and that is the most fun for me!
Treating ourselves well is one of the keys to moving forward, feeling better and in turn inspiring ourselves to love life on a level we never thought we deserved to reach. Welcome to your life - again!
I love you. I support you in your choices and I'm here for you always. You are a strong, amazing woman who has a passion for life.
Rock your year - see you at 42.
Don't do anything I wouldn't do - and have fun doin' it.
Love, Shawn
Then, I went back and read last years letter. It went something like this (again, snippets, not the entire letter);
May 19th, 2012
Dear Shawn,
What a great year!
We're FORTY!
Another birthday - I feel like I say that every year, but I'm certain I think it. I love every year, as I tend to extract all of the joy I can from moments these days.
Never worrying about age means we never have to remember it either - so I always say I'm celebrating the 11th anniversary of our 29th birthday.
So many things happening, all moving us forward and toward greater things! The wedding ceremony plans are well under way and the excitement of everything is ensuring things come together with seemingly little effort.
The year is about to bring with it so many wonderful events! We're in the middle of planning a wedding, and all of the great things in between - those are the year's biggest. We have waited a long time for this day.
I also say this is the year to really move forward. Stepping out of our comfort zone has been key - living life on our own terms and figuring out what it is we really want (and working towards it) are the goals of 'Shawn' this year.
The book, 'The Fat Girl Now 50% Lighter' is almost done. It is the albatross around my neck at the moment - I see it done, but am finding my perfectionist behavior coming out. It in itself has been an incredible learning process and I have loved every minute of it. I love being both a student and teacher of life!
Love, support, understanding, freedom, trust - I have found all of those things in someone I never thought existed.
ME.
Here's to 41. See you again soon.
Love, Shawn
I love reading last years letters - you never really remember everything you write, but it is intriguing to go back later and re-read them. It is also a unique way to learn more about yourself too.
Feel free to steal the idea - it is a great way to reflect on a past year before tucking the memory lovingly away.
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