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Happy Birthday to Me? Part Two

Yep, it’s that time of year again. Sigh….

Usually, I don’t mind my birthday (having a birthday is better than the alternative, right?), but last Saturday at my dojo’s kickboxing tournament, I looked around and thought, “wow, am I the oldest one still doing this?”

I know that’s not the case, and even if it was, I should be proud of it–not embarrassed–but there’s something unnerving about getting to an age that makes people gasp in disbelief. Yes, people, it’s true. I have lived that long. There is life after thirty (and after twenty, for that matter).

I’ve decided to face my birthday curse head-on and pack the weekend with fun plans, if only to keep me from delving into lonely introspection. I’m proud of my twenties: I started a successful business; spent a month in Africa on assignment; sowed my share of wild oats; lived with a friend, a lover, and on my own (not all at once); ventured into the corporate world; and saw my bylines on the front page of a major newspaper. In short, I really lived. But what have my thirties been about?

It’s not like I haven’t accomplished a thing in this decade, but there’s still so many aspects of my life where I haven’t seemed to make any progress. No published books. I’m still living in the same place I vowed to leave. No fights in the ring (hopefully that will happen this fall). But I am almost out of debt, so that’s something, and I’m surrounded with much better people. In any case, I have a lot of work ahead to make this decade of my life truly memorable.

I hope that, by my next birthday, I’ll be able to look back and say, “Wow, look at all I accomplished!”

Until then, let us eat cake.

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8 Comments

  1. Chris

    I think you’re going to have an amazing year ahread of you. If anyone can achieve their goals, it’s you. I wish you all the best.

    Reply
  2. Story Teller

    Thanks, Chris. My problem is biting off more than I chew a lot of the time. It does hinder my progress, but I’ll keep moving forward. Thanks for all your support and encouragement.

    Reply
  3. Chris

    It’s going to be an awesome birthday weekend! Even if it rains (as it always does on May Long), it’s still going to be good times with friends, lover (singular, right? ) and kitties, too. Party on!

    Reply
  4. Story Teller

    I’m looking forward to it! A last weekend of decadence before I go into training hard again. Woo-hoo!

    Reply
  5. Laura Best

    Happy belated Birthday, Holli. I’m just getting caught up on my blog reading.

    I’ve never let my age get me down. With age comes wisdom. Myself, I prefer wisdom.

    Reply
  6. Story Teller

    Thanks, Laura. What I’m noticing is that aging for women tends to be difficult around the 40 mark (at least among the women I know and have talked to). Once they’ve passed that landmark, they’re flying.

    It’s unusual for me to worry about aging. I’m more concerned with what I’ve accomplished in my time than how much time I’ve had. I hope to make myself proud in the next few years…not always an easy thing to do! 🙂

    Reply
  7. Jocé

    My very belated Happy Birthday wishes, Holli. May the year ahead be wonderful, and the coming decade bring you fulfillment, fun and some special surprises of the nicest sort 🙂

    Reply
  8. Story Teller

    You’re not late at all, Joce…you were actually a day early! Many thanks for your kind wishes and your friendship. Hopefully we’ll get to spend some time together in the coming year.

    Reply

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