It's hard to believe that it's been a year since my last birthday post. For the third year in a row, I've written a blogpost for my birthday, and it is slowly starting to feel like a tradition. I love taking time to reflect on my last age, what it was like, and my desires for the new age. I deeply hope to be able to sustain this for many years to come.
Last year, I summed up my desire for thirty-one with this quote by Maya Angelou:
“To have the courage to be the human being that I can be and to encourage people to be the people they can be. To try to be no one’s enemy/foe, to refuse to be anyone’s victim, and to be a friend to all human beings.”
At the time I wrote it, I wasn’t clear on what exactly it would translate to for me, however looking back at the last 365 days, I can say for sure that it was my most courageous year yet.
During the last year, I challenged myself to several new things - from solo trips filled with lots of adventures to starting a podcast and many more. I did all of these despite my fears, but finding the courage to do them yielded me experiences and memories that will last me a lifetime. Looking back now, I guess it is safe to say the quote served me and it would certainly remain one of my guiding principles for many years to come.
The last year was not without its challenges, but in the words of Maya Angelou:
" I’ve had clouds but I have had so many rainbows in my clouds”
My rainbows are represented by my faith, the gift of life that I am blessed with, the love I receive from my family, friends and everyone who has ever shown me kindness, and all the good things that are happening in my life and for those I love. It continues to be one of my greatest desires to always try to be the rainbow in other people's clouds - to be a reason why things suck less, like many people have been for me.
I would sum up the year thirty-one by saying it was filled with love, self-discovery, adventures, and continuous personal growth. It was certainly a great year and I hope to never lose the sense of wonder that I tapped into this year!
As I reflect on the new year, I only have one wish for this new age, and as I write this, I am putting it out into the universe as a silent prayer. Throughout this year, I hope to find the courage to step out in faith and to let faith lead me over fear to what I desire.
My guiding principle for age thirty-two is this quote by Patrick Overton:
“When you walk to the edge of all the light you have and take that first step into the darkness of the unknown, you must believe that one of two things will happen. There will be something solid for you to stand upon or you will be taught to fly.”
Here is hoping I always find the strength to step out in faith even when the journey is unknown and to have faith that as always - the universe will rise up to meet me.
Hello Thirty-Two!
Happy Birthday to Me ❤️
Happy birthday Nife. Wishing you many happy returns.
Happy Birthday Sis, enjoy your best year yet!