Today is my birthday; I’ve been alive two score and one year. As each year passes, I am awed at the speed of time. It seems to increase the longer I live.
In a recent post I wrote about a major life decision that I needed to make. It pertained to a move to California. Well, yesterday that decision was made, as well as another one. I am now a fianceé, and we will journey westward together. Yesterday was a Big Day, in terms of decisions and events.
One decade ago on July 9th, I rolled into Austin in my two-door Eagle Summit to start a new phase in life. I had left a job of ten years and my hometown of 31 and took a leap of faith. My brother and sister-in-law live here, so I knew two people. However, I didn’t have a job, just a little money saved and a lot of hope. These ten years have been full and rich, sometimes with very great pain, and often with very great joy. I am sad to leave, yet at the same time I embrace what is manifesting, including the grief of good-bye. One life lesson I’m absorbing is how to hold two contrasting states at once in my being. I used to live with an either/or worldview. The both/and perspective permits so much more.
Anyhow, it feels symbolic and meaningful that in the next month I’ll be making a huge move again. This time it will be different in significant ways, most especially that I’ll be journeying with my best friend. I am grateful for life.
I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow, but through it all I still know quite well that just to be alive is a grand thing.
–Agatha Christie
Update: In case there is confusion, let me clarify that I do intend to keep posting on A Mindful Life. The grief of good-bye to which I refer is about leaving in-person loved ones and places that hold sweet memories.
Congratulations on your engagement and on your move. I look forward to reading more about the California experience.
Happy Birthday!
All the best,
David Markham
Congratulations on all the exciting changes! And a very happy birthday to you, too.
Your blog is a lovely place, full of timely inspiration each and every visit. Best of luck to you on the move and the engagement!
Happy Birthday! Mine was just 10 days ago!
Many Congratulations. I have enjoyed your blog. It has been very inspiration.
Good Luck. Remember us fondly.
Glenn
happy happy happy missy
happy birthday from another june 24 girl.
Congratulations, doubly so. And happy birthday.
Wow. Not only do we both spell our name the “correct” way :), love Wells Branch Library, but we’re both Cancers!
Best wishes to you on your new beginning. I will continue to read Mindful Life for the inspiration it gives me.
Wow–so many life changes! How exciting! I’m sad because I never got to meet you, but I’m happy all the same. 🙂 And have a happy birthday weekend. 🙂
I remember the first time I discovered I could hold joy and sorrow in my heart at the same time. A revelation.
Wishing you happiness.
Congratulations on all the good news! I know the move decision was tough, but you’ve got yourself a good fiance, and there’s a lot of opportunity returning to Silicon Valley right now.
Hey I missed your birthday (was in Vegas for son’s wedding. Anyway, hope it was happy.
Are you moving close to me?????