39 and Counting

How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?

I've always kind of enjoyed that question.  It makes sense that it's on my mind, since today is my 39th birthday.  And I don't feel a day over 25!

I think birthdays and springtime (and birthdays IN springtime) are a great time to think about all the things we love.  When I need a dose of youth, I can draw from the positive energy of all that is good in my life and in my world.  To celebrate my birthday, I have created a Love List.  Some are small loves, some are big.  Some are serious, some are silly.  Some are life-changing, some are pretty inconsequential in the grand scheme of things, but still bring me some pleasure. 

I am happy to report that it wasn't tough to come up with 39 "loves" to celebrate my 39 years of life.  In fact, there are so many more.  But here's a starter list:

1.  the smell of steamy pavement after a summer rain
2.  driving in the car with the windows down and radio cranked
3.  dining al fresco
4.  breezy days
5.  discovering that I can jog two miles without stopping to walk
6.  the feel of my daughters' arms wrapped around my neck
7.  the inexplicably chocolate-y smell of my cat's fur
8.  being able to hop onto the computer to find a quick answer to one of my daughters' thousands of questions
9.  libraries

10.  the feeling of long grass on bare feet
11.  live music
12.  street festivals
13.  city murals
14.  dark chocolate
15.  being able to call up my mom and talk to her whenever I want
16.  laughing with my husband

17.  the smells of basil, vanilla, almond, jasmine, curry, grapefruit, and orange (but not all at once!)
18.  blue skies and sunshine
19.  organizing my papers, my spaces, and my time
20.  checking off items on my To Do lists
21.  mail art
22.  old photos

23.  vintage papers
24.  silver hoop earrings
25.  people who smile and speak to me in passing
26.  purple
27.  ribbon
28.  a fresh unused notebook
29.  coffee mugs
30.  purses
31.  comfortable shoes
32.  jeans
33.  Italian pottery
34.  fresh bread

35.  Pinot Grigio
36.  the understanding that setting goals, taking risks, and trying new things are not the exclusive property of children, teens, or 20-somethings
37.  Paris
38.  collecting seashells and pebbles on the beach
39.  good coffee

I encourage you to make your own Love List, even if it's not your birthday, and especially if you're having a day when you're pretty sure there isn't much around you that you love.  You will probably surprise yourself with what makes it onto your list, and it will definitely put you in a better frame of mind!

All of the things on my Love List are things from my life and my experience.  I'm also working on a "I'm Sure I Would Love List" of things, places, and experiences that I'm pretty sure I would love if I had the opportunity to experience them.  I guess it qualifies as a kind of "Bucket List" for the remaining years of my life!  That's a fun one to put together, too.

Wishing you a blessed and happy Easter weekend!

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Last year on my 38th birthday, I posted "38 by 38":  38 lessons I had learned by my 38th birthday.  It received over 2,300 page views, thanks to Gretchen Rubin's link to it from her Happiness Project blog.  If you would like to check it out for yourself, you can click here!