Birthday Reflections from Jody
October 15th, 2008 by Cali & Jody
As I celebrate another birthday - really just a day on the calendar - I see it as another “marker” in my life, and a time to reflect and dream. Happy times, sad times - how many times do I have left?
Everyone has a journey - and a story of what their life is, and what it isn’t. We all have the choice to continue to make change, and make our life what we dream it can be.
It is at the juncture of a birthday marker that I am bound to pause, reflect, and find my own truth - my own. Not the truth of anyone around me. Not the truth of what others want me to become, but what I want to become. Not the truth of the life others want me to lead, but the life I want to lead. Not the truth of others who think they can write my life better.
But instead, it’s my pen that will continue to write my own life.
And, it’s at this marker that I once again take stock, keep and not keep. Keep what is dear and true to the vision of my life, keep what I love, and not keep what I don’t.
We dance around inevitable change all our lives - glancing the other way when opportunities present themselves to move us forward. We accept our place, and believe what others say about us - who we are as a parent, friend, wife, husband, partner, child, sibling and co-worker - and make that the actual and ultimate truth.
And, we risk losing ourselves in others’ truths. As life moves quickly along, we suddenly exclaim “Who am I and how did I get here?”
A birthday is simply a day on the calendar - but it can be an important day to reassess, reflect and decide.
Decide to leave behind regrets. Decide to embrace joy. Decide to leave behind that person inside that settles for the status quo. Decide to live. Decide to act.
Today, I take a moment to own the day that marks my birth and be thankful for family, friends, health, and a really good glass of chardonnay (preferably Cakebread).
Happy Birthday!
Jody,
A very happy birthday to you. Thank you for what you have started.
In your reflections, please consider yourself something else. A patriot. Our country was founded by those who belived that people should be allowed to persue their own destinies without anyone telling them how to live their lives. For years, we have handed over control of our lives in exchange for a paycheck, whether the reasons are through fear or through laziness. What you and Cali have done is stand up and say “It’s not supposed to be like this. Take back what is yours”.
The lamp of freedom burns more brightly because of what you do. On behalf of those whose lives you have made better (and will make better), I thank you and hope that I have the courage to stand up as you have.
I too reflect every birthday on all the things I want to change and keep the same. This year on my birthday my heart was broken as I realized my degree may in fact be worthless during these economic times. This forces me to stay at the job I hate just a little while longer. The good news is it means I have plenty of material to write about for a little while longer to because I blog about my awful boss.
Jody,
I hope you had a wonderful birthday.
We all appreciate your supportive comments to our various posts.
Thank you all for your birthday wishes! Your support means so much to us - and as we always say, the work we’re all doing as pioneers is difficult, but so necessary. We’re glad you’re all along for the ride…
Happy Birthday thank you for the job you are doing on this web site