My Real Life

Today I turn 47, and 47 sounds very, very old to me.

But it doesn’t feel old.

It feels kinda awesome.

George Burns once said “You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.”

I love it.

When I was 45, I made a list of things that I “was” at 45. Today, I think I’ll make a new list.

No, not much has changed in two years, so much of this is repeated or just said differently.

But I think it’s important to reflect on who and what you are every now and then.

And (un)fortunately for you, you logged in to read this post, so you get a front seat to my reflection.

At 47, I am getting ready to set one of my babies free into the world and I’m feeling good about it. I’m going to miss her like crazy and am struggling with how much I will miss her, but I’m confident that she’s ready and I’m excited about the possibilities ahead of her.

At 47, I’m done with playing games and getting along to get along.

At 47, I am unapologetic about who I am and what I want out of life.

At 47, I dress for myself and not to impress.

At 47, I say what I mean and expect other to do the same. If you feel it, say it.

At 47, I understand and accept that I am not everyone’s cup of tea and I don’t worry about those who don’t enjoy my particular flavor.

At 47, I know who my friends are and I make sure that they know how important they are to me.

At 47, I only regret the things I was never brave enough to do.

At 47, I love super heroes, sci-fi, Star Wars, and pretty much any geeky thing you can imagine, loudly and proudly.

At 47, I want to read more. I’ve pushed it aside for other things long enough. It’s time to smell the pages again and dive back in.

At 47, I want to write more. I want to feel the weight of that pen in my hand and let my thoughts run through it as they used to before life became full of “shoulds” and “oughts” which quickly overshadowed anything that wasn’t “necessary.”

At 47, I want to have the hard conversations, say the difficult things, and hear the opposite point of view, because I’ve discovered life is boring if I surround myself with people who agree with everything I say. I’d rather say “I never heard that, tell me more” and grow than say “I already know everything I want to know about this,” and stagnate.

At 47, I realize that what I need is very little, so I’m not looking to accumulate anything more.

At 47, I believe that we are the sum of the choices we have made.

At 47, I’m aware that I’m not going to live forever and I’m going to grab my happiness now.

At 47, I believe in kindness. It is my goal, my mantra, and my purpose. To spread it, to practice it, to be it.

That’s my 47, and if you’re also 47, it may be completely different from yours.

But guess what?

That’s okay.

Because my words and music are my own and that’s what makes them just right.