I don’t dread birthdays.

In fact,
I celebrate with zealous enthusiasm.

And not for just one day.
I need a season to collect birthday greetings,
eat at all my favorite places,
and spend time with all my favorite people.

This year it was no exception just because
I TURNED 60!

I met with girlfriends for
lunch,
dinner and
coffee
for week before and a week after the actual date.
I had a party.
I got a slew of gift cards
and flowers and
even one of a kind watch with my mom’s picture on it.

After the party and the celebrations are a distant memory,
here’s what I know about me at any age.

I want to live without regrets.
Don’t you?

Now that I’m 60,
here’s my best wisdom
to live without regrets.

1.
Love well.

If you love someone.
Tell them!
Show them!
Let there be no doubt.
Be liberal with your love and
words of affirmation and encouragement.

2.
Be kind.

Being snippy and sarcastic may make you feel smart or superior.
But …
You won’t win anyone to Jesus that way.
You can’t invite anyone to correct their failures
or expect anyone to respond in kindness
if you aren’t kind first.

3.
Practice forgiveness.

I say practice forgiveness because
you’ll likely have to do it over and over
for repeat offenses
and to get the hang of it.

The hardest person to forgive is yourself,
but do it!

Forgive yourself for the
Harsh words,
Lousy choices,
Wasted time,
Inappropriate behavior,
Ridiculous expenditures,
Weight gain,
Missed opportunity or
That thing you think is too bad or too big.
You’ll add years to your life by forgiving
yourself and others.

4.
Live in community.

Isolation is a lonely and vulnerable place.
Choosing women to do life with make it richer and safer.
Ask for help.
Share the burdens and the struggles.
Celebrate the victories and the triumphs.

The richness of the relationships I have with my core group of women
provides us stability and support for all seasons and situations.

5.
Take care of yourself.

Sleep 8 hours,
Eat something green that isn’t an M&M.
Exercise a little.
Ask yourself what you like and why.
Write down some goals.
Go on a vacation.
Talk to God about everything.
Save some money.
Listen to music,
Dance in the kitchen.
Take up a hobby that lights you up.

Celebrate life – whether it’s your birthday season or not.
Choose to live without regret.

“For godly grief produces a repentance
that leads to salvation without regret,
whereas worldly grief produces death.”  2 Corinthians 7:10