Celebrating Ourselves Beyond External Validation

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Approaching my 60th birthday has me reflecting on the curious
phenomenon of how we experience these personal milestones. Why do
we grant ourselves permission to be selfish and indulgent on just
one day of the year? More importantly, why do we burden these
celebrations with impossible expectations that often lead to
disappointment?

I'm sharing a personal reading from my book about a previous
birthday when I caught myself keeping score of how others
celebrated me - noting my husband's funny card but mentally
deducting points for "no flowers," appreciating the fire he made
but feeling let down when I discovered he hadn't filled the
humidifier. Throughout that day, I tallied over 200 social media
birthday wishes, most from people I barely knew, while
simultaneously noting who hadn't yet acknowledged my special
day.

This birthday scorekeeper lives in many of us, constantly
evaluating external validation rather than focusing on internal
worth. The profound question emerges: why do we set such high
bars for how others should celebrate us while simultaneously
setting such low standards for how we celebrate ourselves? What
would change if we approached every day with the same level of
self-honor that we expect on our birthdays?

As I turn 60, I'm carrying forward this wisdom – treating each
day as an opportunity to celebrate being alive, to honor my
journey, and to appreciate the gift of growing older. I'm deeply
grateful for you, my listeners, who join me in these reflections
and share how my stories resonate with your own experiences. This
connection is perhaps the most meaningful birthday gift of all,
and it's one I cherish every day, not just once a year.


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