A Birthday Full of Gratitude

Yes, I’m still talking about my birthday and how I appreciate all of the amazing people in my life.

I remember hearing at one point in my childhood, "Birthdays are just another day," and for a long time, I never made a big deal about my birthday. I know there are pictures of me with a cake when I am toooo young to remember. I remember some of the awesome cakes my aunt has made me over the years growing up or the special gifts my aunts sent thru the mail, always making sure to send me a little something which was always greatly appreciated. I didn’t even realize some people had big parties till later in life or celebrated in the big ways as I do now, Maybe BIG celebrations are something that’s evolved culturally over time? I do remember in elementary school me and my friends all at the YMCA swimming and playing basketball on Friday nights and getting ice cream after, but that was just what we did every Friday night in elementary school, so it didn’t feel any different when it happened to be my birthday.

My brothers were always off at sports or with girlfriends, and my dad worked long hours to support us. But one time, my entire family was all at the dinner table, I asked, "Whose birthday, is it?" just because we were all together—something that rarely happened. It turned out it was no one’s birthday and is a hilarious story now that we are all grown up.

Birthdays have become very special to me; and now, I celebrate myself to the max. My birthday lasts about ten days, spanning the days before and after, and I like to scoop Valentine’s Day into my celebration since I’ve spent a lot of time in the single ladies’ category. If I can I do my nails, get a massage, take myself out to eat, buy myself flowers, and occasionally get a new outfit. Sometimes, like later this month, I travel!  I am lucky enough that am able to spoil and treat myself right.

But when other people do things for me? That’s when it truly surprises me. I don’t expect it—maybe it is a safety mechanism, I just genuinely try not to expect anything from anyone. So, when birthday cards arrive, when packages show up unexpectedly, when people take me out to eat or bring me gifts—even a broom 🥰, which I genuinely loved and needed—I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Someone helped me clean; I have IOU for helping me tidy my apartment (see a theme here 🙃) someone else gifted me chocolate-covered strawberries, a sound bowl, and beautifully wrapped surprises I got to actually unwrap! One of my good friend’s sons even colored me a picture with every crayon in his box, that’s now prominently displayed on my fridge.

I’ve cried a couple of times this week from joy and the generosity of the people around me. This isn’t typically me, but I’ve worked hard on allowing myself to feel ALL THE SPECTURM of emotions, and apparently, that effort has paid off.

For my birthday, I got to experience a beautiful light show in nature, paired with sound. I made it a point to visit one of my grandmother’s best friends—who also happens to be related to me. She’s 89 years old, and the thought of everything she’s seen and experienced in her 89 years of life amazes me, because I have already seen so much change in my 40 years. I brought her yellow tulips and hoped my visit added some happiness to her day.

I go through life doing what I can for others, expecting nothing in return. So, when love comes back to me, it almost shocks me. Just recently posted an old "spread love" card for Valentine’s Day on social media, in the hopes that no one ever leaves my presence feeling unseen or uncared for.

Earlier in my adult life, I was so much better at sending cards, gifts, and surprises to people, but lately, I’ve just been trying to make it through each day. Maybe that’s why I don’t expect much in return—because I haven’t been giving in the same way and somewhere deep down I still believe you have to give in order to receive.

But despite that, the outpouring of love this year was so magnificent that all I could do was sit back in awe. There are so many people who care.

I even asked for a family Zoom call in the middle of the week on my actual birthdate—something that’s a huge deal for my family of accountants. It’s the middle of tax season, and everyone is working long hours. Some stayed up late (my dad, goes to bed early), and others left work early to make it happen. Ten of us, including my nieces and nephew, sat together on a call, laughing, catching up on school, work, and the weather across different parts of the country. Knowing they made the effort meant the world to me.

After three weeks of not being able to work out due to some personal circumstances, I finally got back into it and it maybe the best gift to myself of all. Thank goodness, I was starting to lose my mind. I’m easing in, even though I want to go full throttle. I don’t want to sideline myself to an overuse injury two days. And as my workouts return, my eating healthy habits naturally follow. Back to intermittent fasting, back to feeling more like myself.

And then, there’s this business I’m growing. I find myself tiptoeing to the start line, knowing I need to "face my fear and let it pass through me." What is holding me back? I don’t know. But I do know that I’m here to help others, and by not fully stepping into that, I’m doing a disservice—not just to myself, but to those I could be helping. While I continue doing sound baths, blogging, and making meditation videos for YouTube, I know I need to open myself up energetically to clients. It’s time. I’ve always been good at helping others. Really good at it. So why am I hesitating?

I’m feeling so full and so seen. I am so incredibly grateful for the love that has surrounded me this week.

This birthday has reminded me of the power of love, both the kind we give to others and the kind that unexpectedly finds its way back to us. From thoughtful surprises to deep family connections, I've been overwhelmed with gratitude in ways I never anticipated. It’s a reminder that love and care are not just gifts from others—they are also cultivated within us. As I step forward into this new chapter, both in my personal life and my business, I’m carrying with me a heart full of appreciation and a renewed sense of purpose. Here's to cherishing every moment, receiving love graciously, and continuing to give to the world with open arms. The best birthday gift was, without a doubt, the overwhelming reminder of how deeply I am loved and how much I have to offer in return.