It's a Wonderful Life (in July)!

I just had a birthday week; my birth was celebrated for an entire week by different circles of friends and family, and all the commotion made on my behalf is unbelievable to me.  I had four birthday cakes this year. How lucky am I?  It started with my parents celebrating my birthday early and my husband's parents celebrating my birthday late.  In between, my office colleagues, my brother and his family, and our closest friends held little moments of celebration especially for me!  I would have been happy with a birthday kiss from my husband and a phone call from my parents, but I got so much more; I received an astonishing number of birthday cards, phone calls, text messages, and emails this year.   I was also given incredible gifts.  I've just turned 31 years old.  I don't know how all this happened, but it did happened; and I feel very loved, valued, and appreciated because of it. 

Life is interesting.  This year I feel like I've lost my career mojo.  I have a solid job, but by now (seven years after graduating with my masters) I expected to have achieved more in my career.  Somewhere along the way (while I was working) my career got derailed, and I am unpleasantly surprised at my inability to make something happen for myself.  Plus, I feel pressure to get my career on track before we adopt...I can hear the tick-tocks of time slipping away in my head.

My point is that the same year I have career angst brewing in my life I am reminded continuously for a whole week by my husband, my family, and my friends that I am the most successful man in the world.  What is more important than to have a network of beloved humans in your life?  I shouldn't have a worry in my head.

I can remember giving an impromptu speech at my graduation party (seven years ago!) where I reminded everyone in the room that the most important thing in life are the relationships you have with the people you love.  This year, more than previous years, I needed to be reminded of that fact, which is what the birthday week did.  Thank you birthday week!