Goodbye, July!

Well, another birthday has come and gone.  This year’s celebration was modest, but still memorable and full of vigor. I feel myself fortunate to have the love of many who passionately go out of their way to ensure my day is special.

I feel a bit compromised when I have to turn down invites, and sadly that is what I did this year. Thank you, sweet friends, for your enthusiasm and interest, but I wasn’t looking for a rally of pomp and circumstance, but instead a quiet and peaceful opportunity to mediate, reflecting on the past year, while anxiously waiting for the next chapter in my life to begin.

With each passing birthday I remain forever full of promise and hope that the best is yet to come.

There are some birthdays when I like to be alone, listening to beautiful music, reading a book and later taking a leisurely walk on a trail to enjoy Mother Earth’s natural gifts, which become more meaningful, and thus more special on my personal day.

Many equate being alone with sadness and possibly a cry for help. I say, know and appreciate yourself. There is no sadness on my birthday – ever. I welcome another year because in many ways it allows for a fresh start.

So, here I am saying goodbye to July and welcoming August with open arms, exited that summer is half over. Don’t get me wrong. I love it, but love fall, winter and spring even more.  Yesterday I got off to my fresh start, taking to the outdoors for a bit of solitude and inspiration.

Here’s to August! Enjoy the summer weather while it lasts. Capture as many memories as possible. Smile, laugh and show your inner beauty more, because that’s what it’s really all about and what matters most, especially in a world full of challenge and contradiction.

Don’t forget to steal a few private moments for yourself, which is always good to do. We must always reflect on our journey in life in order to appreciate the real meaning behind it all. Life is a learning journey to be savored. Life teaches through experience, so it’s in our best interest to yield to that, which can grow our ability to thrive. It’s time we all find more patience, love and understanding (just a little something I have learned on my journey thus far).

To my beautiful friends – thank you for your heartfelt birthday wishes and for the love.  It nurtures my spirit along in the best of ways and is a testament to what is right with the world.  Some things are just meant to be and I count my blessings that I have friends like you in my life, lifting my spirits high, higher, highest. – paerki

Thank You!

Thank you – to acknowledge someone for doing something for you, because it’s the right thing to do.  It might seem so simple, but it will mean so much.  We most likely will never know the ripple effect of this seemingly small gesture that not only conveys appreciation and admiration, but an acknowledgement of personal virtue.  The smiles these brief encounters generate must be treasured because they are the mortar of human relationships.

Remember to say thank you because it’s one of the easiest ways of motivating and inspiring each other.  A bit of kindness really does go a long way, especially in today’s world.  This thank you is for you, dearest friends.  Peace. Love.  Joy. – paerki