Rockefeller Gastro Pub, Hermosa Beach, CA
“There are two great days in a person’s life – the day we are born and the day we discover why.” – William Barclay
I’ll let you in on a little secret. I was never one to celebrate birthdays. At least not my birthday. I loved making a huge fuss over my children’s birthdays. I got a kick out of planning over the top parties for friends and family. Yet, when my birthday came, I always felt a little sadness. It almost felt wrong to celebrate.
Today, I turn 58. 58 years young. 58 years of Fierce. 58 years of lessons. 58 years of life experience under my belt. 58 years accumulating hard-earned wisdom in this crazy game called life. I’ve also experienced a rebirth, a new life and a new way of looking at life. This second act has given me a fresh pair of rose-colored glasses, a new empowering perspective, to see both myself and the life I had to live to arrive at this present moment. This perfect moment.
What I know for sure (wink, wink Oprah) is that I’ve been given a gift, a second chance at life, at living life my way, by my rules. I know that life is challenging. I know that life is beautiful. I know life isn’t a straight line. Life zigs and it zags. Life goes up and life goes down. I know that the harder I fall, the higher I bounce. I know when darkness comes, the light will find its way back. I know the light is far more powerful than the darkness. I know love can overcome anything. I know the difference between being and doing. I know that truth and reality aren’t one and the same.
I know that being a good friend begins with ourselves. I know the relationship we have with ourselves is the most important relationship we will ever have. I know that self-love is the most important love of all. I know that being kind surpasses being important. I know that being Fierce has nothing to do with force. Being Fierce is living life with heartfelt intensity. I know that a life of meaning is a life of purpose. I know that a life of purpose is the only life I can live. I know I’ve touched a lot of hearts and lifted a lot of spirits. I know when it’s my time to go, I’ll have left this world a brighter place.
I know that being perfect isn’t being real. I know that being real is being vulnerable. I know that being vulnerable is being courageous. I know that being courageous has nothing to do with brute force or physical strength. I know that true power is the exact opposite of force.
I know that life is short. I know that life is painful. I know that love requires risk. I know a broken heart can heal. I know that when it heals, it’s stronger than it was before. I know the amount of grief you feel when losing a loved one equals the amount of love you felt for another human. I know that romantic love is not the same as true love.
I know that beliefs come and go. I know that we tell ourselves a lot of stories, some true, some not. I know the way we speak to ourselves is far more important than speaking up for ourselves. I know that nothing can teach us what life experience can. I know that perception is everything. I know giving is more important than receiving. I know that being open to receiving is the only way we can receive.
I know that life is life and it must be lived. I know the only time we ever have is the present moment. I know the power of the present moment. I know the present moment is where our future is created.
I know that celebrating ourselves is celebrating the life we’ve been given. I know that birthdays are far more than gobs of presents and yummy cake. I know that birthdays lead us from one year to the next. Like a string of pearls – a continuum – an evolution. Birthdays are a time of celebration. Birthdays are a time of reflection. I know the longer the life, the greater the opportunity for wisdom and evolution.
I know that Midlife is the most powerful time of life. I know Midlife is full of Moxie. I know I have Moxie. I know I have wrinkles. I know I have smile lines. I know I earned them. I know my 20-year-old body was thinner and tighter. I know I wouldn’t trade my 58-year young self for anything.
I know it’s time to live life full out. I know it’s time to stop holding back. I know it’s time to celebrate – the big things, the little things and everything in between. I know what it means to be Fierce, to live Fierce, and to love Fierce. I know what it means to be grateful – grateful for you – grateful for the love and the new life you have given me.
Cheers Beauties. Happy Birthday to me!
8 comments
jodie filogomo
And I know this is exactly why you are such an inspiration. Midlife is the best!!
Happiest of birthdays!!!
OXOX
Jodie
Catherine Grace O'Connell
Midlife is the best, isn’t it sister? It allowed me to meet amazing women like you. Adore you.
Loretta Sayers
Happy Birthday!! It is time to celebrate life!
Catherine Grace O'Connell
You’re teaching me! Love you.
Lisa Selwitz
Great post! Glad you are giving yourself permission to celebrate your birthday out loud! 💗
Catherine Grace O'Connell
I’m definitely learning sister!
Colleen
Yay!! Happy Birthday, and here’s to many, many more!
Catherine Grace O'Connell
Thank you sister!