Wow. I have really let my blogging go the past couple of weeks. To be honest, I got pretty bored with it as I was searching high and low for gifts to give myself for my 30th birthday. And now, here I am on the big 3-0 and I only managed to squeeze in a few gifts in the couple of months leading up to my big day. To finish my segment on the "30 gifts for my 30th birthday" I'd like to mention the rest right here.
Here are the gifts I've given myself in the past few months to celebrate my big day:
Go to Hawaii
Take a boat tour of the Napali Coast
Enjoy my first ever Luau
Spend a ridiculous amount of money on Hawaiin barbecue--well worth it
Reach out and connect with some old friends
Start a job that I really love
Have confidence that I am capable of performing well in new job
Enjoy the little moments with Lucia
Enjoy the little moments with Stiv
Extend grace to people who don't meet my expectations
Drop expectations of people so I don't need to extend grace
Give gifts to people I care about
Be 10x bolder than I normally am
Not judge myself when watching tv shows I like. Survivor, new girl, mindy project. Some of my nights consist of sitting on the couch watching TV, and for this season in my life, that is okay.
Buy a couple of new shirts
Buy several used shirts
Hitting the gym before 6am to start my day
Keep a journal for Lucia
Think about buying a car and then stopping myself before I actually did it
Started paying on my grad school loans
Filling out a visa to see if my little sister in law can come visit us (chances are very unlikely she will get denied, but I'm proud of myself for trying)
I have given myself so many gifts in the past few months it's crazy. Most of the gifts are not material items and most of them I see as investments in my self and my happiness. I hope each of you reading this can find ways to love and invest in yourself. If I hadn't sat down and thought about my priorities a few months ago, I honestly don't think I would be where I am today.
My first 30 years of life have been a crazy ride. In 30 years I learned to dislike myself, then to like myself, then to love myself, then to celebrate myself. I am learning to do the same with others. I've learned to put my time and attention towards people who genuinely care about me, and not surround myself with fans or yes people. I've learned that people have limitations in who they are--I shouldn't take it personally or hold it against them. Most people are really doing the best they can or simply don't see the need to change. I've also learned that I should never align myself with people who oppress, restrict, or show hatred towards others in the name of love or the name of God. Living in Peru has taught me that those who oppress others the most are usually those who think they speak for God. I am learning to forget these people, but I grieve for my Peruvian friends and those around the world whose lives are restricted because others have taught them, even with good intentions, lies that restrict and bind. I'm learning to not take myself to seriously, but I am also enjoying the freedom I have to study and explore and make decisions about politics, religion, and things going on in our world.
Tonight I am going to take a moment and celebrate the 30 years that have gone by in the blink of an eye. It's been a good run. And I look forward in anticipation to the next 30. Thank you to everyone who has joined me at some time in my journey. Each person I have met makes up a part of who I am and teaches me, for better or worse, something about our world and about myself.
