My Birthday Year

Posted by L.B. Scott December 31, 2015

My Birthday Year

I've been pretty distracted with holidays this year. I haven't even thought about writing (about writing) since November. Instead I have thrown myself into the holiday spirit, gathering my loved ones, cooking and playing the role of Santa as I expertly pick out gifts they won't hate.

I can't imagine throwing a fit about anything today. It's the last day of the entire year. I don't want to fill it with harsh judgments, we can start that up again in 24 hours with our new diet and fitness plans. Judge or be judged.

I'm pretty excited about this coming year in general, you know why? It's my birthday year.

No, not like that. But my birthday is February 16th.

2016. 2/16.

I'm aware that February isn't month #20, but I'm talking numbers. Also, # is a number symbol in this instance, not a poorly placed hashtag.

I have a good feeling just thinking about 2016. On the cusp of 2016 I released my first book with co-author Douglas B. Wimmer, (Or as I fondly refer to him, Wim), so now I can proudly say I'm an author. A goal and wish I've had for as many years as I can remember -- was finally accomplished. It wasn't my EXACT wish, (I wanted RTS published), but I was not specific when I blew out my birthday candles.

I'm 47.

I haven't even begun to think about my goals and plans for this coming year. I'm still riding this wave of 2015. I've been through so many ups and downs, I've laughed, I've sobbed, I've had panic attacks, I've been in love, I've been furious. I've turned beet red and almost punched someone . . . But at the end of it all, as I look back today, I'm much farther and happier than I was at this time last year. In fact, I think I had the flu last New Years Eve, so I am 200% better than last year . . . Is that mathmetically correct?

I may have completely obliterated my New Years 2015 Goals, and not in a good way, but who actually lost weight and started a better lifestyle? Those people are amazing, and here I've added to my debt, gained weight, slothed around...

But that also means I had vacations, I learned how to cook more amazing foods, I was relaxed and calm, I took pleasure out of each and every day, and maybe in 2016, I'll pull my life together a little bit more. Just a few baby steps at a time, in between cleaning up the battle wounds.

Maybe you will too. Maybe you'll change your dietary lifestyle, finally commit to a relationship, go skydiving, teach yourself to cook, learn a language, drive that stick shift or simply do something that makes you unbelievably uncomfortable. Because the best things always are. No joy or pleasure or immense happiness ever came out of a comfort zone. The only thing that comes out of your comfort zone is fat. Layers of it. In places you hoped it would never travel to.

So go forth my dear friends, and forge a new path. Create new experiences. Try something new. Veer off the main route and travel the world on your terms.