Today’s my birthday, the 19th of April. Join me for a few moments. Let’s have some fun with it. I hope you’ll be inspired to create ways to celebrate yourself too.

After all, what’s it all for? The simple ritual of celebration is often lost during the pace and demands of "modern-times”. Do we even realize the day to day stuff that touches our heart. And the achievement of getting through a challenge, major or not, that proves satisfying. But then there’s the endless list of have-to’s that always seem to always linger nearby.

Even birthdays can be mostly ignored as something to fit into demands of the day. But not this B-day. I’ve been preparing for it for months.

Here we go.

I have always loved birthdays. As a playful kid who loved to celebrate with the B-day cake and gifts, I always looked forward to them. Enjoyed every bite of it.

During my early professional years, I started using the time to also reflect and plan. How have I grown and learned? How have I messed up? What’s to let go? What’s to build upon? Can you relate to these questions?

Simply said, here’s the heart of it? What’s my Dream? What’s the kernel of what is important to me in my life now? How have I progressed over the past year? How do I want to progress now and over the next year? What’s my plan, strategy and supports? Can you relate to these questions?

I'll share some personal information here as relevant to my celebration.

The last year has been filled with change. It started with my relocating to the unspoiled nature of Brazil to live, while continuing to work with my clients in the US. Then last winter I got the Delta Variant. But I’ve gotten through it all. I’m celebrating living deep in nature which is important to me, while continuing to provide the service I love.

There’s yet the challenges in front of me. I'm still looking for property to build my home and create sustainable living. And as a horseman, finding horses to again be a part of my life. These are developments I look forward to.

I’m celebrating returning to writing again as a way to share my decades of experience. This week I’ll begin writing weekly articles via otanpatrickford.substack.com to be delivered to subscribers via email.

Here’s some other ways I’m celebrating. Please realize these are things I've discovered are useful for me. We all discover the ways that work best for us.

Spiritually/mentally/emotionally I’m finding ways to spend more time in nature, which too often has gotten blocked by work. Am making sure to continue my daily mindfulness practices which settle and nourish me.

Physically I continue to exercise and have just added stretching to my workouts. I’m noticing a difference. On a major note, I’ve also just started an intensive dental plan that includes implants and other improvements that I’ve been neglecting for more than a while. So it is a significant achievement to celebrate. Smiles!

Relationally, last week and this one, I’ve increased contact with my personal circle, including zoom calls with 3 or 4 people at a time. We’re catching up about our dreams and the ways life is moving forward for us. Lot’s of celebration. We’re talking about continuing this periodically.

I’m used to big, family B-day gatherings. This past weekend was a holiday festival here in Brazil. So with friends, we celebrated by dining a few nights at oceanside restaurants, followed by some a bit of festive dancing (just a bit :) I love to dance.

I also love desserts and had 3 days of natural desserts, prepared by our local baker, to celebrate at lunchtime over 3 consecutive days. Though now I have to find a way to stop wanting these desserts every day.

And I’m celebrating by sharing these experiences with you.

This article isn’t just about me. Over the past year and recently:

How have you grown and learned?

How have you messed up?

What’s to let go?

What’s to build upon?

And the heart of it? What’s your Dream?

What’s the kernel of what is important to you in your life now?

How have you progressed over the past year?

How do you want to progress now and over the next year?

What’s you plan, strategy and supports?

How will you work play with these questions, making them your own so it makes a difference in your life?

What in your life is it time to celebrate, really celebrate? The day to day stuff? And the over the top stuff that you are still in the woods about but making real progress. How will you celebrate it?

As always, Enjoy!

If this personal sharing and questions speak with you, then be encouraged to reach out for an innovative and complimentary Talk-Time with Otan.