“Forever Young!” (photo credit: Grace Church)
Greetings Tribe — and Happy Friday!
Today is my birthday! Most girls get gifts like perfume or jewelry or clothes — I get a moving truck!
My partner, James, has accepted a position in Los Angeles — so we are on the road again! We took our first trip across the country right after college. Since then we’ve lived in Los Angeles, New York, and the Jersey Shore — now we’re headed back to where it all began, all those years ago.
It’s overwhelming. Packing, moving, decluttering, wondering if it’s the right thing to do.
And when I look at that big travel loop — from New Jersey to LA and back — and consider the mileage and the costs and all the aggravation — it’s easy to wonder if we should have just stayed in LA in the first place. Wouldn’t that have been easier? Wouldn’t we be further ahead right now?
It’s easy to second-guess each and every move based on data alone.
But you know what that loop doesn’t represent? It took my very best friend to remind me: that loop doesn’t represent the 15+ years I had here on the East Coast. 15+ years with my brother, as adults, skiing and surfing and spending time together nearly every weekend. (And my parents and siblings, too!)
15+ years that all the moving costs and mileage and aggravation just can’t measure up to.
Not in a million!
So as I grow one year older today, and set out on a new adventure this week, I’m grateful for all that precious and irreplaceable time we had with him — and I’m reminded that he remains, “Forever Young.”
Your Happyness Challenge for the Week Ahead: If you or someone you know are second-guessing yourself this week, please give yourself a break. Regret makes us old and cranky! Exercise some spring cleaning, declutter your life, forgive yourself, forgive others, set a new goal, and bloom where you are planted! Stay young — another season is right around the corner!
“Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth.” (Henry David Thoreau, Walden)
Spread Happyness — and share your thoughts on in the comments!
3/11/16 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com
Happy Birthday Grace and best wishes on a new year full of adventure, opportunity and growth.(and enduring sunshine!) This is one of my favorite subjects… “forever young”. The ultimate goal….
What a great way to celebrate the achievement of another year..Rob would have been so excited and
happy for you and Jim. As you embark on this new chapter of your life, embrace the opportunity, and the “reinvention”. Celebrate the successes and learn from the things that are “less successful”. That is the way to stay “forever young”. Keep changing, growing and challenging yourself…it’s like being a new person every once in a while :-). Progress keeps things interesting and fresh….It’s like buying a new pair of shoes every so often…shiny & new. (even though the old ones are still OK and so comfortable)
Best wishes on this very special birthday…the day my baby sister arrived…what a great day in my life. (I am going to celebrate also). Enjoy and have a GREAT adventure! Spread Happyness (coast to coast). Warm Regards To All For a Happy Friday and FANTASTIC weekend.
Thanks, Vickey!!! I know sunny and warm has your vote! Great advice, always!!!