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Friday, January 6, 2012

Older and Wiser

Tomorrow, January 7th, marks a new year of my life. I’ll be another year older and wiser, that’s for sure. Having my birthday one week after the New Year certainly results in double the reflection for me. And, boy do I have a lot to reflect back on. This past year of my life has flown by. As I look back on my birthday last year, I literally cannot believe an entire year has passed. SO much has happened, it’s not even funny. {To take a look back at some of the main events this past year, check out this post.}

Here’s what my birthday looked like in 2011…

Last year, I was living in Utah and was taken out to eat at my favorite restaurant of all time – Joe’s Crab Shack :)

We then proceeded to go home where I partook of that delicious coconut cupcake above and posed with some of my favorite flowers. I’m silly, I know.

It was an amazing birthday. I was pretty darn happy, if you can’t tell. But, you know what? I didn’t know a bunch of the things I know now. The experiences I’ve gone through and lessons I’ve learned this past year have definitely changed me… for the better. But, everything happens for a reason. You’ve heard that phrase a time or two on here :)

I feel like I’m finally getting a tight grasp on the woman that I am. I know some people learn that when they’re 18 or when they’re graduating college but for me, it’s taken trials, tribulations, and a few falling-on-my-face moments to get to know the real me.

I read something yesterday that said that our goal here is not to do things perfectly, to get it right, or to not get hurt. Our goal is to become so strong, so rooted in our faith, so available for love that it doesn’t matter if we fall or get hurt because we accept every bit of it as an experience that was created uniquely for us; custom-built just for us in this moment in time. When we change, when we actually make the decision to change and make a new choice – life opens up.

Maybe now that I’m finally discovering my true self and I’m finally making decisions based on what I think, life will truly start to open up.

I recently made the decision to go spend my birthday and the next few days in Las Vegas. It was a decision that was made while I was in Boston but, you know what, sometimes my last-minute decisions have ended up being the best ones. They’re the ones that are made solely based upon what I want; what my heart is pulling towards.

Las Vegas is one of my favorite cities in the world. I’ve never gambled in Vegas nor had a sip of alcohol so my stays in Sin City are a bit different than what most people are used to :) However, the splendor of that city mixed with the beautiful desert surroundings are beautiful to me. The next few days will be spent there to think, talk, and do some more reflecting as I figure out the next phase of my life :) Oh, and don’t worry – pictures will be taken.

Viva

So, here’s to the last day of being this age. Tomorrow when I wake up, maybe I’ll feel different. Maybe not. Maybe it will just be the jet lag after catching my 6:25am flight and jetting off to the other side of the country. Either way, I’m excited for being another year older tomorrow :) Oh, birthdays…

 

21 comments:

Sarah @ 90 Percent Blonde... said...

I love everything about this post.

I've been following your blog for a while and it's so wonderful to watch you transform into an even better person!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Stephanie said...

I turn 30 this year and I'm thinking about heading to Vegas for my birthday...I've never been! Have fun and happy early birthday!

Lia Joy said...

Happy {almost} birthday, sweet friend! Here's to a new year, the best one yet! Living, learning and growing into the best person you can be! :) I hope you have a great time in Las Vegas! :)

Gina said...

Happy Early Birthday! Your birthday last year looks like it was fun--I love crab shacks!

And that bolded paragraph was worded so perfectly, just what I needed to hear!

Have fun in Vegas!

xo, gina

anythingimaginableblog.blogspot.com

Lauren said...

Yay, Happy Birthday!! I hope you have SO much fun in Vegas - what a great way to spend your birthday weekend :)

jessica said...

love me some joe's crab shack wish i had one closer to me!

happy birthday!! hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Jenn said...

Happy early birthday!! I hope you have an awesome day and weekend!!

Carolyn said...

Happy almost birthday love! :) Here's hoping you have an amazing birthday in Vegas!!!

Katie said...

Happy almost birthday friendaling! you are definitely wiser, and stronger this year :) have so much fun!

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday! I hope you have a wonderful time :)

Call it Adventure said...

Happy Birthday soon lady. As a girl who has been getting to know you through your blog corner of the world over the past year or so, can I just say that I am so proud of you for everything you've managed to overcome. Personal growth continues to happen at every stage in life, and I'm a firm believer that we should never stop trying to discover who we are. When we think we have it all figured out, that's when it's pretty much proven that we don't have a clue. You are a strong, wonderful woman with a beautiful heart and I can't wait to see what the next year in your life brings. Lots of joy and love, I'm betting on it. :)

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday girl! I am all about learning and growing as a person ... and it seems like you did just that in 2011. Here's to a great year for you, and what better way to begin a new year ... than in a lively city full of beauty? :)

Raquel said...

Loove this post! Have fun in Vegas!! :)

the girl in the red shoes said...

Happy early birthday! I hope your day is as sweet as you!

Summer-Raye said...

I want to go to Las Vegas... and gamble. Ha. HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRL! I know this will be the best yet.

Tara said...

I hope you have a wonderful birthday! I really admire how you seek adventure and new experiences in your life...I believe that doing that leads to ultimate fulfillment in life! Have a fabulous time in Vegas. :)

Unknown said...

Happy early birthday pretty girl! Live it up!

xo Shane

Kate @ Daffodils said...

happy birthday, hope it is the best one yet!!

Lindsay said...

Happy belated birthday! I hope you're having fun in Vegas!

Whitney @ EHFAR said...

Happy Birthday! Hope you have a wonderful trip!

Sophie @ threetimesf said...

Happy Belated Birthday! I hope you have a wonderful trip and a wonderful year! :)