Birthdays – Dec. 2021

I have several friends who have birthdays in December. Some of them are turning the big 6-Oh! Everyone is doing great it seems. A few extra aches and pains here and there, but (knock on wood) nothing life threatening. I just turned 59 – so next year will be a big one for me. Right now though, I am so grateful. So happy that my friends are all doing well, and that I am doing okay too. I went through some tough times (as we all have) but I feel a sense of peace right now, today. Today is a pretty good day. I have work that I love, helping people who are going through issues of poverty, homelessness and disability. I am relatively healthy and mildly happy. Content – that’s the word. I don’t reach for those extreme high levels of happiness the way I used to. When I was younger, I tried to create experiences of Divine Bliss all the time. And I have been lucky enough to have some of those moments. Like, cuddling with a beloved man while Carlos Santana played Europa. Or dancing to Bruce Springsteen at Red Rocks. Or the million times I saw Jerry play with the Grateful Dead. Or even when I followed spiritual leaders such as Ram Dass or Sant Darshan Singh around. I caught so much bliss and wisdom from them. But day to day Life isn’t really like that. Not consistently, anyway. For me, Divine Bliss is having a cup of tea with a good friend, as we sit by the river and chat about our lives. Or, dancing for a moment while a friend plays guitar. or, having a cranberry flavored beer at a local handcrafted brewery with a new friend. These days, little things make me grateful. My friends and I have all made it to this point in life, where life is pretty good. And I am grateful that all of us are still learning, growing and changing into fully “self-actualized” people. In fact, one of my friends has picked up and moved her entire existence to Alaska! She and her husband are on an epic “Hero’s Journey.” Another friend went back to school and she now has a new, thriving counseling practice. I am so grateful for their good energy and good example. I have written a book on meditation and I am writing several other stories too. My dream is to be a prosperous, healthy and happy full time WRITER someday. That is what I want to be when I grow up. If my friends are any indication, then I know I can do it. What do YOU want most in life? What dreams are still left in your “bucket list”? So, I want to wish a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to everyone born in December!! I send you MUCH LOVE!! Enjoy this time of life, when we got nothin to prove but everything to gain.