I always loved that I shared my birthday with my great-grandmother. I haven’t went back too far, but I am the oldest daughter, of the oldest daughter, of the oldest daughter, of the oldest daughter…all firstborn.
In my 40 plus years I have encountered 10 people with my birthday. I’ve also found a few really profound chunks of knowledge over these years that I thought I would share today.
- Everyone has a story. Just look at the television line up today. There are reality shows about tattoo shops, pageants, cutting wood, driving trucks, making duck calls, and just living with other people. It isn’t the setting that sells the show. It’s the people and their story. We all have our special characters, the one crazy antagonist, the problem to solve, and sometimes…a happy ending.
- Laughter cures a lot. Nothing catches my attention like someone who laughs at the same things I do. How boring would like be without the comic relief we find each day? I know that in the movie of my life, it would be billed first as a comedy. We sat at dinner tonight and laughed about the crazy antics of my childhood. Most of the antics came from my parents and grandparents but it still makes for a great story.
- You are either the solution or the problem. That isn’t very funny. Not all of life is a big barrel of monkeys. The crazy antagonist is there to make drama and our reaction is key to our character. Do we encourage or do we enable? Do we help or hinder? I’ll be honest, I like to solve problems and give advice. I’ve learned that most times, people have to learn the hard way. I see people enable others so much the cripple that person. That makes you the problem if you do that. Try to be the solution.
- Kids are precious. You would think this would be common knowledge but it isn’t. Both Joy and I work with children and we see the highs and the lows of parenting and child behavior. Put your kids first. Period.
- Reading is important. I read a book this year that really opened my eyes. The Read Aloud Handbook is one that all parents should own or borrow. Make your 2013 goal include reading. Nobody ever looks back and says they wish they had read less.
- Do something for others. Volunteer, do a good deed, or find a way to give to the earth. It will change the way you see the world. Commit to it and don’t stop, even when you give up your Saturday and are tired. Keep going.
- Do something that you enjoy. If someone asked you what you do for fun, what would you say? Watch TV? Sleep? Text? Find it and do it.
- Time passes faster as you get older. I had a dream last year that was basically me standing in line for a long time to ride a big slide. It was an awful climb but once I got near the slide itself the whole thing was over in a flash. Such is life. It goes faster and faster and in my head I am still the same as I was when I started the hard part of the climb.
So, these are my words of wisdom for another year. Thanks to all who make me laugh and keep me sane. Happy Birthday to the 10 other people who have connections to all parts of my life.
Friday, January 4th, 2013, 8:18 pm | 
Well Seasoned | 
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