In Celebration of the Birth Month
I love this time of year, because I get to celebrate my birth month.
While some shy away from birthdays, let alone birth months, I embrace it. The age is merely a number, and matters not.
The good stuff: family came to visit as a surprise, a beautiful bouquet of flowers showed up at my door, a gluten-free cake was baked to my specifications, and we enjoyed dinner at a favorite restaurant.
AND, when my friends realize they missed the day, they’re not late with their wishes, since I celebrate for a solid month.
That being said, Sunday was merely the kick-off to my birth month event. 
Birth months give me plenty of time for reflection. I can look in the rearview mirror and realize all the opportunities that showed up and feel immense gratitude.
Of course, there are always those learning experiences that I refer to as “falling upward.” These are the events we would never voluntarily sign up for, yet they transform us into better human beings.
By the way, I highly recommend the book by the same name, “Falling Upward,” by Richard Rohr. Perhaps it’s time for me to read it again.
A month gives me plenty of time to accept celebratory breakfast/lunch invitations and thoroughly enjoy each one. Why rush? I can only eat so much in a day.
It’s also a great opportunity to determine what life changes I need to make. What stays, what disappears, and what new challenges shall I take on? This is important.
While many people reflect with each new calendar year, I find that this time feels more personal.
This is my year of possibility. As I map out what the next 12 months could look like, what I’ve experienced is that the year typically turns out more amazing than I ever dreamed.
And, there’s the “falling upward” stuff.
Thank you for reading my weekly blog posts. You tell me they make a difference in your life. My plan is to continue writing these, as they made the “stay” list.
I appreciate all your birthday greetings, whether on Facebook, in person, or otherwise. You are making my month even more special!
My birth month request: please pass my weekly blogs on to others who could use a bit of loving inspiration. It’s important that I reach as many people as possible with the birth months I have yet to celebrate. 
With love and gratitude,
Carol
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”—Maya Angelou