What Earns Me Stripes At 40

So here are the main things tonight thatI think I can say I have learned that I feel worth sharing on my birthday...

1) Be kind to those you care the most about. We seem to take out our frustrations on the ones we are the closest to. Change that. Forget those who do not matter. Love on those who mean something.

2) Drink water. It just works.

3) Red Lipstick can change an entire perspective. Treat her with caution.

4) Life is unfair. Someone will have it worse than you. You will lose people you love starting now and they were not prepared. Practice gratitiude.

5) Be impeccable with your word. This one sort of sucks. It means you have to be honest when you could honestly just make something up and no one would know. Better to be honest. You smell better.

I really thought I would be so empowered and enlightened at 40. I feel scared.  Do I need to live differently? Adjust my priorities? I like how the earth twirls and that the sun and moon change shapes and sizes depending on my perspective.

I guess I will figure it out. Happy Birthday Me. To the 5 year-old Beth, the 16-year old Beth, the 32-year old Beth and now. Happy Happy.

I love life. I really do.