By: L. Shay Bradham
Reflection, Renewal, & Persistence
For many years on my birthday, I would feel a little down. As the years passed, I would dwell on what I hadn’t accomplished. Each year I would make goals, and each birthday I would be reminded of how much I missed the mark. I felt time slipping through my fingers. I wasn’t a twentysomething anymore. Or a thirtysomething. Or…yeah, you get the idea.
A few years ago I changed the way I looked at birthdays. Instead of holding a yardstick to see how far I was from my mark, I reflect on what changes I have made over the previous year. I have an honest assessment about what I did well, what I could do better, and what I’d like to do differently.
No matter how the year went (some are better than others), I view my birthday as a Day of Renewal. The day after my birthday I have a clean slate, ready to take on whatever challenges lie ahead. I forgive my mistakes. I don’t beat myself up over what could have been better. I look forward, not behind.
My birthday is a day of celebration. Not because of presents or cake or ice cream (although I adore all of those things). It’s a day to celebrate life. A day to marvel at my children and how they have changed over the course of another year. A day to relax (sort of) and to allow myself some breathing room. I don’t cook. I don’t clean house. No laundry. I do work (unless it’s on a weekend), but all of the “extra” stuff women do when they come home? Not on my birthday.
“A river cuts through the rock because of persistence, not power.” ~ Anonymous
My birthday is a day to ponder my persistence. Unlike New Years, where most people try to do a complete makeover and put drastic changes in place (which is pretty much doomed to failure), my birthday is a time to choose a few small changes to make for the long haul. Maybe it’s to cut out drinking sodas. Maybe it’s writing one card a week to my Mom and Dad. Whatever the choice, it has to be something small that will add up over time.
I choose persistence when it comes to business, as well. No matter what my business focus has been, I have done one thing consistently over the course of 15 years: meeting people and networking. Each person I meet brings me into an entire new circle of other people, like ripples in a pond.
It’s not easy to design a wonderful life. But I find that by using reflection, renewal, and persistence, you can craft a life you will love.
- And you don’t have to wait until your birthday (unless you want to).
- You can start today.
Lady Bits is provided by L. Shay Bradham, a freelance writer, published author, coffee addict, and a Trekkie. She plays an impressive game of Klingon Monopoly. You can contact Shay at: LShayBradham@gmail.com