Healing HOME

Why is it that some of us celebrate life more on our birthdays than any other days? Birthdays surely are days to measure the steps behind us, and to look ahead; but mostly birthdays give us cause to celebrate our unique existence in the now.

This year I turned 52. I got up early and showered, etc., dressed up a bit (the way I do when we’re expecting guests), put on make-up for perhaps the first time in a year or so, and put some pretty jewelry on. I turned my first coffee into a dessert coffee. I made a great breakfast that we all enjoyed, and I made my favorite dinner: my seventeen-layer lasagna, which we enjoyed with a nice red wine.

For dessert, a simple pound cake with lots of apricots. And of course I went on social media and swam in the endorphins of a flood of happy birthday notes! It was a beautiful day, and I took good care of myself.

And I thought about this. Life is brief and fleeting in these experiences of individuality. I see life as an opportunity to celebrate being who we are, where we are, what we have chosen to do in this space and time – to enjoy! – because when people run out of time, they wish they had loved their loved ones more. They wish they had enjoyed living more than they did. Only late in life do most people tend to realize how precious it is.

I paused in my writing this to go downstairs and turn my black coffee into a mocha. (It is Tuesday, after all. What a great day to be alive, right?) What are some ways that we can make the most of each day?

INVEST IN YOUR MIND. Spend time reading and writing every day, as some of the most achieved people remind us. Read quotes from the philosophers of Stoicism, read great poetry, learn another language. Learn what math or chemistry you missed. Exercise the mind, let it stretch and grow. It’s an investment in YOU, and the world cannot take it away.

INVEST IN YOUR BODY. Exercise. Stretch, go for a walk, vow to eat healthier foods, drink more water, and fast on occasion – perhaps one day each week. Breathe clean air, go outdoors bare-footed and just sit there (or walk around or lie down) with your feet making an ion exchange with Earth (commonly known as grounding or earthing).

NURTURE YOUR HEART. Take good care of yourself. Spend time with loved ones, or at least send a note or pick up the phone and call them – something a little bit more substantial than texting. Spend time in nature with trees, rocks and animals, or with one of your favorite, most meaningful books or activities, or journaling your gratitude.

NURTURE YOUR HOME. Do something special in your home. Clean it a layer deeper than usual. Set some plants near the front door (outside or inside). Give them water. Place some crystals in their pots. Light a candle, some incense, play some uplifting music. Bless your house, and it will bless your loved ones and you in return!

SPEND YOUR TIME WISELY. Keep a list of things to do. If your list is empty, fill it! Fill your day with meaningful activity. Love what you do and do what you love. If you’re at work, be grateful that you’re employed. If you hate your job, at least smile. Faking it ’til you make it really does work, just like all other mental programming does, and it changes the attitudes of those who share space with you if they see you smiling.

And on this note, be well and enjoy, and celebrate life every precious day, because you and your life are worth more than you can imagine.