Our elders are always telling us that life will pass before our eyes. Carpe Diem! Seize the moment. Take it all in. Live, Laugh, Love. You’ll look up one day and your children will be grown. I’m learning that no matter how much I want it to slow down, “they” are right. Life seems to be flying by, faster and faster, with each passing year.
Birthdays are like the mile markers along the way.
They’re the moments in time that we stop long enough to capture, and hold on to. Case in point, where were you on April 14th last year? Unless it was your birthday, or a loved one’s birthday, the chances that you remember exactly what you were doing on April 14th (without looking at your calendar) are pretty slim.
But, if that day happens to be your birthday, I bet you have a story for me.
I bet you remember who you were with or what you were doing. You probably remember how you felt about turning another year older. Double those chances if it’s your child’s birthday.
Birthdays hold the stories.
You might not remember exactly where you were or who you were with on every birthday, but you remember your life by the birthday numbers. Where were you when you were 9? 18? 23? 30? 35? You just remembered a lot of stories, didn’t you?
“We age not by years, but by stories.” – Maza Dohta
Time may be flying by, but it’s the stories we get to hold on to. It’s the people, connections, memories, and all the love that will last. Hold on to the people. Hold on to the love.
Hold on to the stories.
When you look back, it’s the stories that have made up your life. As you look forward, the choices you make today, tomorrow and the next day, are the stories that will continue to make up your life.
I know you can’t seize every moment.
Life can be stressful, hard, and overwhelming at times. So simply be intentional about holding on to the good ones. Take all the pictures. Make notes in your calendar, journal or phone. Celebrate the birthdays and the people who have them.
Share the memories.
Retell the stories.
This year, reframe your age by your stories.
Your heartstories.
They are many and they are beautiful.
to more love,
Crystal
P.S. This is the way we’re celebrating the 2nd birthday of The HeartStories GNO events! It’s a giant celebration of YOU, and all your beautiful stories. We’ll be announcing details about the “Surprise” party *very* soon! So stay tuned. If you could use a little celebration of YOU right about now, this is your night.
Grab your girls and your tickets and be ready to feel celebrated in all the best kinds of ways!
image cred: Meggie Taylor
