Today is my 41st birthday! My gift is in transit, so I can't share the details of it with you yet. However, it is stamping related and very drool-worthy. I've waited a LONG time for this item and I am so excited that it will finally be mine.
So, I'm going to the office this morning to see a few patients, then I am going to spend the afternoon with my 4 year-old daughter doing a little Spring shopping. She is my "mini-me".....loves to shop and I think she may have been bitten by the stamping bug. I let her use an old stamp set a few nights ago and when she saw my entire collection of stamps, her eyes just lit up. "Are these all for me?" ME: "Um, no. These are for mommy." (with an implied "hands-off"). We may have to shop for some inexpensive stamps for her today as well.
One of the best gifts that I have in my life is my friends. I have four girlfriends that I have been close with since junior high. We've been through many good times and bad.....boyfriends, husbands, divorces, children, death....all the ups and downs of life. Last year when I turned 40, I was so very thankful to have these words of wisdom from my friend, Michelle. It is titled "20 verses 40". She is such a talented writer and I hope you'll enjoy this no matter what your stage of life.
(And scroll down for the chance to get some blog candy!)
My friend Tricia had a birthday the other day, and posted a comment about struggling with 40. That got me to thinking...what's so bad about 40? If I compared 20 and 40, how would the chips fall? So I thought about it for a little while, and came to the conclusion that 40 is better...decidedly better than 20. Here's why.
1. I know who I am. At 20, I had no real identity. I had a pretty good idea of who I thought I would turn out to be, but I wasn't there yet and wasn't even really on track. I still followed others, lacked self confidence, second-guessed my decisions, and based a lot of how I felt about myself on whether a certain boy liked me or not.
2. I have values, and I'm not afraid to stand up for them. I think I knew what I believed at 20, but didn't have a strong enough character to stand up to some friends who disagreed. I also backed down from college professors who tried to force feed their agendas down any throat they could find. I wish I had spoken up. I would now.
3. I wear what I want to wear because it's comfortable, not because it's stylish. That's not to say that I pay no attention to fashion or that I don't try to look nice, but I will no longer sacrifice my feet and my back in order to wear cute heels or boots that HURT! I also won't try to cram my ass into jeans that make me unable to breathe just for the sake of trying to look a certain way. I've learned the value of a good bra, comfortable knickers, and an elastic waistband.
4. I know how to ask for what I want, and will demand it if it is important enough. I generally won't sit by and be neglected anymore. Previously, I would have sat quietly but dissatisfied, gotten walked on, or suffered silently. No more...I am just as valuable as the next person, and I won't let anyone step on me for the sake of not making waves.
5. I don't fight. I used to be a hothead, and it got me into a lot of trouble. Not that I ever hit anyone or got into fistfights (ok...maybe once or twice), but I did argue and yell a lot. Now, I'm in control of my actions. I wait and decide how I will behave in a situation rather than reacting to someone else's behavior. There is loads of freedom in being in control of your emotions. No one MAKES me anything...happy, sad, angry...I choose to feel that way. The older I get, the less I allow others to have the reigns in my emotional life.
6. I'm content. I don't have a big or fancy house. I drive an older vehicle, and I don't wear designer clothes. My husband doesn't look like Brad Pitt, and my kids sometimes piss me off. But what I do have is ample...abundant even. I am blessed to be where I am with this family. I don't need anything or anyone else to complete me.
7. I like me. I finally realize that I am smart, capable, and independent. I know that I have a sense of humor, compassion, and stick-to-it-ness. I recognize my shortcomings, and realize that I can't be perfect. I no longer base my self-worth on the relative size of my buttor my boobs. I try every day to see myself as God sees me. He made me this way for a reason, and who am I to question his judgement?
40 always sounded like a horrible mile marker on the road of life. We used to talk about it like it was OLD. Now that I'm here, I know the truth...at 40 I have come a long way. I've made huge mistakes, hurt some people and been badly hurt by others, and blundered through plenty of messes. But my experience has been rich. My scars tell a story, and that story is me. I like 40. Now bring on 80!
The card at the top of the post is the one that Stampin' Up! is sending to all of its demonstrators this year. We even get an additional discount on one item! Pretty cool, huh? You can see the inside of the card above, as well as the items I'll be giving away as blog candy!!!
BLOG CANDY PRIZE: Something To Celebrate (Clear Mount Stamp Set), Birthday Bakery (Wood Mount Stamp Set), and Square Lattice Embossing Folder for the Big Shot
To enter, LEAVE A COMMENT at the end of this post with your words of wisdom for growing older. I'll select one name at random on Friday, March 25th at 7pm---so make sure you post by then. The winner will be announced on Saturday, March 26th.
Want even more chances to win?--For every $10 purchase that you make between now and Friday, March 25th, you will receive another entry for Blog Candy. Orders must be placed through my online store or you can email me.
