Learning stuff.

Those who follow me on Facebook may have noticed I celebrated a birthday yesterday. 46, baby. 46.

Although if you tell people I’m 27, I will pay you. I’m not kidding. 😉

Every year when my birthday rolls around, I start to groan. I know, I know. Aging gracefully and all that crap. I’m supposed to embrace my age. Well, I’ll let you in on a little secret. This year, I noticed a difference in my body and I couldn’t help reacting with mild horror.

I got these spots on my forehead. They’d better not be age spots. I’m way too young for age spots so I’m calling them sun spots. Yeah, sun spots.

Oh, then there were the arm/shoulder/neck issues. I’m still doing physio for that every couple of weeks. It’s getting better but I’m stiffer overall.

Don’t even get me started on walking into a room and forgetting why I went there.

Bodies change. Minds change. We get older. Things begin to sag. So I hear. 😉

But here’s the good part. Aging means we are given new opportunities to learn. I’m appreciative every day of the increased awareness I’ve achieved in my later years. I know I still have more to learn. I certainly haven’t figured it all out, but every year, I feel as if I absorb a little more. The things that used to bother me at 20 don’t bother me anymore. I’ve learned not to sweat the small stuff and I try very hard to concentrate on the grand scheme of things.

So what have I learned this year in particular?

I’ve learned children become very pompous when they outgrow you.

I’ve learned to be really scared when my eldest talks about getting his driver’s license.

I’ve learned not to go searching for good reviews. That’s when you find the bad ones. Reviews are awesome in any form, and I appreciate anyone who writes one, but I can’t let them define me or my work.

I’ve learned not to disregard any form of friendship. Friends are awesome. We always need more of them in our lives.

I’ve learned happiness comes from many sources but having a job you love has a huge impact on your well being. Find a way to do what you love.

I’ve learned it’s important to move. Writer’s ass sounds like a funny concept but in real life, it ain’t so funny.

I’ve learned I’d rather go through my day with a smile on my face than with a frown. And I will continue to find ways to bring you as many smiles as I can through my writing.

Thank you for all the wonderful birthday wishes this week. I love you guys. Be happy and be well.