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Self

A (Rather Large) Birthday Gift to Myself

written by Beth October 11, 2013

Beth Berry

It’s my birthday! and in honor of myself (gosh, why is that so hard for us to say?) I’ve decided to reflect on the past year and note a few inner accomplishments I’m particularly proud of.

I know, I know, big spender, right? And not only cheap but a tad narcissistic? Nah, I’m not buying that either. Consider how many other annual achievements we recognize and celebrate guiltlessly: weight loss, increased earnings, a larger, fancier home? Not one of these are questioned by our culture (but in fact, encouraged), yet acknowledge personal growth and suddenly you’re an egomaniac.

That has-been story aside, if self love is something we recognize as essential, not only to our experience of joy and the fulfillment of our purpose on this planet, but to every single earthly encounter, we’d best get used to recognizing growth and celebrating it at least as often as we reflect on our shortcomings and strivings, don’t you think? Okay, so maybe not that often, but at least, say…once a year? I’ll go first.

A Year’s Worth of Accomplishments I’m Particularly Proud Of:

  • I finally let go of the baby phase (for real) and in doing so, connected with my daughters more mindfully and joyfully.
  • I dropped of a couple of really big stories I’d been holding along my spiritual walk and now realize just how heavy they actually were.
  • I recognized my reluctance to rely upon others due to a lingering pursuit of perfection.
  • I sought guidance from trusted sources (including you!), listened with my heart open and now feel pointed in a much more authentic direction.
  • I’ve learned that vulnerability is not a sign of weakness at all but a door into unseen worlds of possibility.
  • I sought friends and experiences based on the way they inspired rather distracted me.
  • I got honest about my part in mending my marriage and feel more connected to my man than I have in a decade.
  • I embraced this town and its challenges, discovering jewel after sand-encrusted jewel.
  • I’ve come to accept love my body like never before and now see aging as journey toward beauty, not away from it.
  • I’ve recognized strengths I never knew I had and others I’d only been pretending to possess.
  • I created healthier boundaries where they needed to be, even when doing so was messy and painful.
  • I learned that in order to receive the fullness of someone else’s love, self love is absolutely essential.

You know the most amazing part, though? Had you asked me before I made this list, I might have described my year as minimally productive or pretty rough or a difficult time of transition. All it took was half an hour of honest reflection to recognize how rich and renewing it really was.

And so, a guiltless, self-affirmed Happy Birthday to me!, cheers to honoring our selves toward the good of us each and us all and a huge hug to every one of you for your (enormous) part in my process. Know that I count you among my greatest gifts and will spill some cerveza in the sand for you esta noche!

A (Rather Large) Birthday Gift to Myself was last modified: October 11th, 2013 by Beth
23 comments Leave a Comment
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23 comments

carrie contey October 11, 2013 at 10:35 pm

Beautiful wisdom from a beautiful One. Happy Birthday!

Reply
Stacie October 11, 2013 at 10:44 pm

Happy Birthday Beth! Libra’s are amazing (said by this Libra). I love reading your blog and FB posts. I wish I could move down and be your new best friend and together we cold save the planet. (That sounds stalker-ish, I swear I am no stalker.) I hope the next year brings you all the happiness you wish for!

Stacie

Reply
Kelly October 11, 2013 at 11:22 pm

It’s been a good year! Happy birthday and wishes for many more good years to come and you continue to bloom and blossom.

Reply
Reina October 11, 2013 at 11:52 pm

Brava! And thank you for sharing your process and an example of celebrating and recognizing growth. “When you show up authentic(ly), you creat space for others to do the same.” Your gift to yourself is also a wonderful gift to the world – an invitation for us all to do the same for ourselves. Happy Birthday!!

Reply
luisa October 12, 2013 at 1:04 am

we were born less than a week apart. explains our adoration for each other… this inspired me to do the same. thank you… and congratulations on an amazing year of growth. i wish you love, laughter and good food. xo

Reply
Kelly October 12, 2013 at 3:31 pm

Sounds like one helluva good year, indeed! Thank you for continuing to inspire and lead us towards a healthier state of being. May this be the first of many large birthday gifts to you!

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Meg October 12, 2013 at 3:51 pm

Good for you!!! Happy Birthday!!

Reply
Angela Berkfield October 12, 2013 at 7:16 pm

Happy Birthday, Beth! You are such an inspiration!!! I’ve gotta see if I can find myself half an hour to think about my growth (so I can get out of the rut of thinking of it as challenging and often miserable). xxoo

Reply
Helen October 12, 2013 at 7:32 pm

Happy birthday! Thanks for inspiring us for the last year 🙂 A fan x

Reply
Taos October 12, 2013 at 9:52 pm

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WOMAN

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Susan October 13, 2013 at 1:10 am

I love everything about this post! Happy Birthday!

Reply
Adah October 13, 2013 at 2:37 am

Feliz cumpleanos! Had a wonderful communal dinner tonight, and as we all determined how nice it is to potluck and watch our kids run around I thought of you! To you and yours!

Reply
Julie Lineberger October 13, 2013 at 3:36 am

Good on you!

Reply
Rita October 13, 2013 at 2:30 pm

Happy Birthday, Beth! (a day late) I have so enjoyed sharing your journey with you this past year, and I appreciate the reminder to love and celebrate ourselves.

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Babs October 13, 2013 at 4:31 pm

Feliz Cumpleanos – the best is yet to come~~ Said by a woman of 71 years who has enjoyed the whole darn adventure, most of the time!

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Alison October 13, 2013 at 7:19 pm

Happy Birthday Beth. What a great present to yourself. With a big birthday approaching in a few months, I might just consider giving myself a similar present…feels like a good time!

Reply
Adrienne October 15, 2013 at 12:36 pm

Happy (belated) Birthday! I love your insight about aging being a journey toward beauty. Would you be willing to expand on that?

Reply
Beth October 16, 2013 at 4:57 pm

Thanks, Adrienne! I would love to, though that’s a post all its own! In the meantime, here’s a bit of my journey, assuming you haven’t yet read it: https://revolutionfromhome.com/2013/06/why-the-world-needs-to-see-our-stretch-marks-this-summer/. Be well, and I appreciate the suggestion!

Reply
Karen B. @ Making Shift October 16, 2013 at 2:46 am

Hooray! Those are amazing accomplishments! Recognizing them is as important as making them, right? Happy birthday.

Reply
Karen B. @ Making Shift October 16, 2013 at 2:47 am

By the way, I thought of you when we were in San Cristobal this summer! I love that city.

Reply
Erin October 19, 2013 at 4:15 am

Thank you for sharing! That was beautiful. 🙂 Many of your accomplishments inspire me to strive for similar things in my journey.

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Jarl Forsman November 7, 2013 at 4:43 am

Love this post, Beth. Very wise. And happy belated birthday.

Reply
Clarice November 7, 2013 at 11:06 pm

Hello from Brasil!
I´ve been quietly following your blog for a while now and today I have to speak up, to wish you a happy birthday and another beautiful trip around the sun! I have to thank you for all your insight, I´m sure you´ve heard this many times before but I feel a sense of connectedness with you through reading your posts. There have been many moments where your words have touched and healed little sores in this young mama´s heart. So here´s to women who INSPIRE! And who radiate love and life! viva!!!

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About Me

Hi! I’m Beth Berry, writer, life coach, adventurer, mother of four daughters, and hopelessly hopeful human. This is a space where I show up wholeheartedly (however imperfectly), speak the truths of my heart, and contemplate life’s messy, sacred mysteries. Make yourself at home! All are welcome here.

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