Listen to this 3 min email here "Do you like you birthday?" I shot the basketball, missed, and answered with, "Ehhhh" and a one-handed horizontal jazz hand. No one's ever asked me that question before. I felt like I just got pantsed.
Growing up all the way into the age of 34, I've always had mixed feelings about my birthday. Maybe it started with being a summer baby. School was out, so birthday parties with friends? Rare.
Eventually, my expectations for celebrating dropped altogether. My parents would ask what I wanna do but it felt like they had their fingers crossed behind their back hoping that I'd just say what they already had in mind–usually eating a bloomin' onion at Outback.
Any other requests were usually met with "Ehhhh" and a bloomin' onion anyways.
We just weren't big on celebrating birthdays as a family. Not sure why, but that's how I grew up. Building the anticipation and triggering attention on my birthday became more and more uncomfortable as I grew up.
If I wasn't around people who knew it was my birthday and wouldn't let me get away with not celebrating, when left up to me to plan something–nothing would be planned. While working in the clinic I had two birthdays where literally walked in, treated all my patients and left. Nobody had a clue. That was intentional on my part–because honestly, I don't think I liked my birthday at that point.
Especially because I was on the verge of turning 30 and felt trapped in a career that I borrowed $150,000 to get into. Buuuuut that's a whole 'nother thing I'll talk about some other day. The point is...
I was the reason that I didn't like my birthday. I was literally choosing not to celebrate myself because I anchored my expectations for enjoying myself on other people's actions. Also, it turns out the energy you have on your birthday is reciprocated. If you don't want to celebrate yourself and don't take action on planning or even requesting what you want on your birthday, it's not fair to everyone else (and yourself) to feel disappointed when nothing happens.
I'm learning this.
This year I decided to be proactive by putting together a last minute dinner at home with my cousins and new friends that I made here in Hawaii.
Inviting my friends while at the basketball court felt like a huge step choosing to celebrate my birthday.
And man was it the best decision ever. I mean look at this menu.
Thank goodness my cousin went to culinary school
This was one of the most pleasant, fulfilling birthdays I've had in a while and I almost chose to experience it being lame. Here's the thing... No matter what day it is, being happy is always a choice and the Universe will always reciprocate what you ask for–whether you know what you're asking for or not. What are you choosing today?
✌🏾TTYL!✌🏾
Simie P.S. This year felt like I got the most happy birthday texts and calls ever. This included texts from three of my former bosses (two of whom didn’t even know my birthday before). No idea how that came full circle… but it did. P.P.S. Have a birthday coming up? Reply with your birthday, exact birth time, and location for a chance to be picked for a free astrology coaching call! #LeoSeason P.P.P.S. Abbey even bought separation trays for the food.
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