I made it to thirty-nine this past Monday!!❤️ I am such a kid at heart and can’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t want to CeLeBrAtE their birthday.. especially as we get older! I would never want to give back the wisdom I have gained! Would you?

I love the story of the velveteen rabbit about becoming real!! “Real isn’t how you are made, it’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.”

“Does it hurt?” “When you are Real you don’t mind being hurt.”

“Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,” he asked, “or bit by bit?”

“It doesn’t happen all at once, You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.”

I love that my husband, John and I are still growing together as a couple and individually! We’ve made it a priority to continue to grow, as well as, live in the moment! It truly takes a lot of focus and is ever-challenging!

I have been reading Jay Shetty’s book, Think Like A Monk and even started it over.😳 As I neared the middle-ish of the book this time.. I asked John to join in and read the chapter on gratitude. He readily obliged. We are realizing that we seem to be pretty good at recognizing kindness and expressing gratitude. Although, this book helps to take it to the deepest level! Recently, we decided to not be on our phones when we first wake or at the end of our day.. also advice from Jay Shetty!! I know it sounds crazy, but it feels life changing! Allows more time to visit with John and be fully present!

I had purchased two copies of this book in hopes for our oldest son, Keith to read it simultaneously. It didn’t exactly work out that way because he’s very busy maintaining his 4.0 GPA at Bethany College. The second copy has made it possible for John and I to read at the same time and share our thoughts. I think John would agree that this book is good for anyone! He already messaged Keith and told him he really needs to read it!

I think that growing and everlearnig helps us to better understand ourselves. In turn we can offer the best version of ourselves to the world! It is inevitable that it helps in any relationships we have!

If I could give any advice from what I’ve gained in the last thirty-nine years it would be to seek happiness! We are here this earth and we might as well make the most of it! It doesn’t mean you will never hurt. It just means that you control how you respond. If you focus on the good parts of even the hardest events, it allows you the opportunity to grow and appreciate life in a different way than ever before!! ……..Let that sink in!

I am continually reminding myself to stay grateful and happy and kind! Especially in the present as I am learning a new software program at work, working to get better at technology in order to expand my audience for my blog, and training our twenty year old son, Landon as he enters our workforce.. which feels like the most fragile in life’s sequence right now! I want him to stay inspired, understand the level of professionalism and growth that is necessary in our industry! I am confident that it can all take place, especially with John (who is far more patient than I) in the picture to mentor!!

I encourage, dare, challenge you to live your best life.. even if you’re facing challenges! After all, those challenges are shaping us. We might as well be developing in a positive way!!

Also, I must give a shout out to my all-time-crush/partner/love, John .. aka Johnny for making my birthday the best it could be! I am glad I have figured out how to ask for what makes me happy and that you make it happen! I loved our time at the new beautiful hotel, Homewood Suites by Hilton in our beautifully rejuvenated downtown.. right in our town, Salina, Kansas! Also, the time with our kiddos and kick-ass iPhone, iPad and accessories to become the best blogger/blogger I can be! 😉❤️🤟

Stay Rosy, Amber