I'm wrapping up my birthday week and to be honest I'm ready to settle down a bit. Who knew all of this celebrating would be so exhausting? I had a girl's night out with close friends, a family dinner at one of my favorite restaurants and a trip to Vegas. I read an article today that say "birthday week" is not a thing. I entirely disagree, haha! It's been 20 years since I've visited this city. I've created some new memories here and I've learned some valuable life lessons along the way. As I head for home here are my Top Ten lessons I learned from Sin City:
10) It feels really good to just get away sometimes. Whether it's a night out with friends, taking the fam on a little weekend excursion or planning an actual vacay....a change of scenery is good for the soul and will do wonders.
9) Anonymity is such a beautiful thing. Especially when you feel type casted in your everyday environment as "the cancer chick". No one knew me or my story. Oh, how I loved that!
8) You are never too old for Beer Pong.
7) Dance, babe! On the dance floor...stand up on that chair...on the piano bar stage...wherever. Just go for it. No one cares and you will feel like you're on top of the world. Just move.
6) It's ok to plan things out (in Vegas and in life), but be open to spontaneity. Some of the greatest moments in life just happen! Be open enough to just trust in these gift from the universe. You will not regret it...
5) Try something new. Scary I know, but you will learn more about yourself and what you have and don't have room for in your life. Don't talk yourself out of something just because it makes you uncomfortable...breaking through such confines can feel very freeing!
4) Wear that dress, girl! ( See Below)...Dress up, wear the heels, sparkle from head to toe. It felt good to shine for even a moment. When you feel good about yourself, no one can dim that sparkle. NO ONE.
3) Don't fear the palm reader! I've always wanted to see a psychic or have my palm read. In the past I walked right by because of the "what if they tell me something awful about my future?". Well, the awful has already happened, so I went for it. Turns out, she was pretty damn accurate about my past...eerily so. She also thinks I will live to be in my eighties (woohoo!) and have some new opportunities and a chance to move in the near future. Universe, I'm open...Game On.
2) You are worth celebrating! You are special. You are one of a kind. YOU deserve to feel loved, supported and celebrated. Keep people in your life who are willing to bring out the best in you. Whether they are far or near, with you in person or only reached via text....hang on to the people that make you feel like you and your life is worth celebrating.
1) There's no better feeling than realizing how appreciative you are to be able to go home. F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote: "It's a funny thing coming home. Nothing changes. Everything looks the same, feels the same, even smells the same. You realize what's changed is you."
So, I'm going home changed. Grateful, excited and in desperate need of a nap. -M XOXO