It actually happened. I turned 25! Age just snuck in during the night, and without a sound it plopped down on my carpet and decided it was going to stick around. I asked that stubborn visitor to leave, but here it still is. Just following me!
I know for all you oldies out there, you may be sitting there thinking to yourself, “That is nothing…. Just wait!”
But really, have you ever actually sat and pondered the implications of a number being attached to your life? The kind that we seem to think is worth celebrating each year because you survived being squished, prodded, pushed, and pulled out of your exhausted mother some odd years prior?
So first off, mom I love you! Thanks for sacrificing everything to bring a screaming pink monster into the world. Also for not getting rid of me a long time ago. I am sure you have questioned your sanity more times than you have toes and fingers to count on. Who knows why you and dad decided to keep me all those nights I had to sit in the garage or on the porch steps to get some fresh air. All I know is that I am pretty darn lucky to have such a good team!
For some unknown reason, this number has made me consider life. Obviously I was aware in the past that this day comes around each year and I get spoiled with love and gifts from all the kind, lovely people in my world. But I have never taken the time to see it for what it really is. To me, this time it felt like a chance to consider where I have been, what I have accomplished, what I have failed at, and what I haven’t even tried. These are all of the “stuff” that has gotten me to 25. Then there is everything down the road that I have yet to experience. So it brings me to this question:
Why the heck do we set goals every New Year on January 1st, even though we never follow through with those ideas?
Since we have a hard time creating habits out of the silly plans we make for ourselves (hello working out 5 times a week – have we met before?), I decided to try something new. Something worthy of living a whole quarter century. Why don’t we use our day of birth and use that as a springing board for our goals? Should I sit around and wait for January 1 before I try anything new? (That would be a lot easier…so I will let you know my plans in 4 months. Stay tuned!!)
Kidding! Sort of 🙂
As we go through the crazy adventures of life, our dreams and hopes change quite a bit. My main focus when I was 5 (learning to color in the lines) is a bit different than my goals today. Interesting what 20 years can do to you.
On this new journey that is 25 years of living, I am going to do my best to believe a little more, try a little harder, and see a bit more of opportunity in everything that happens. Obviously I am going to mess up. I am going to fail more often than not. I am going to change my mind and go a new direction. But think of the power of being more aware of my surroundings and taking a few big chances. Or even a few small chances even.
I am tired of trying to “BE” whatever the world expects me to be. Instead, I am going to “Do.” Big things are going to happen in this new adventure called 25.
I’m feeling 25, yo!
I want to look back on this year and see life. I want to see that I have been given the opportunity to live, and I actually took it.
Hope when you take that jump, you don’t fear the fall
I hope when the water rises, you built a wall
Hope when the crowd screams out, they’re screaming your name
I hope if everybody runs, you choose to stay
Hope that you fall in love, and it hurts so bad
The only way you can know is give it all you have
And I hope that you don’t suffer but take the pain
Hope when the moment comes, you’ll say
I did it all
Owned every second that this world could give
I saw so many places, the things that I did
With every broken bone, I swear I lived
Hope that you spend your days, but they all add up
And when that sun goes down, hope you raise your cup
Oh, I wish that I could witness all your joy and all your pain
But until my moment comes, I’ll say
I did it all
Owned every second that this world could give
I swear I lived.
–One Republic, I Lived
25 is going to be EPIC. This is my fresh start. My days filled with moments to DO anything, and worry less about what everyone thinks I should BE. I am excited to share the next 12 months 🙂
XO – Heather