The Day You Choose: I Chose My Birthday

There were two ways I could have started today.

Here’s the first:

Wake up. Start with the laundry list of the shitty things about my year, my life, my world. Look outside. See the hole in the fence, the work that needs to be done. Think about the things missing in my life, the losses I’ve had, the holes they’ve left.

Spend the day in the fetal position, focused on things I cannot change, paralyzed by what will not be, and unable to move.

FUCK THAT.

Today is my birthday. BIRTH DAY. A day for beginnings.

I chose a different day. I made a different day for myself.

I actually started making that day yesterday. I set the tone with my friends. I let them know what I wanted. And, God bless them, they obliged.

The messages and pictures and awesomeness started rolling in before I even went to bed. By the time I woke up this morning, I was greeted with so much love, I couldn’t help but have a great start to my day. The only weepiness I felt was from the outpouring of love coming my way.

On my way to visit my lawyer, I cranked up the music until the windows were vibrating. I had lunch with a good friend. I cranked up The Cure for the drive home, and have plans to be picked up by friends for mother/daughter mani/pedis this afternoon. Tonight, another blogging friend is coming over to hang out. Tomorrow, more friend time. Plus, OMG, THE WORLD CUP IS ON!!!

When I look outside, I don’t see a broken-down fence. I see a canvas.

It’s all about perspective.

What kind of day are you choosing?

Comments

[Beth]

I love this!

You are so right. We choose our days and how they're going to be.

[Miss Grace]

I choose a Leah-Humping day.

[Kristi]

Happy Birthday! Way to take the bull by the horns, woman!

[marley]

You are amazing and I love you soooo much. Happy, happy, HAPPIEST of birthdays.

[Genie]

This is awesome. That is all.

[Tina Cruz]

Calif Mom You're my hero. (with apologies to Ferris Bueller)

Shake it up baby, now.

Wish I was there to help you celebrate, but NYC or bust!

Love you 'yuge.<3 T.

[Jaycosnett]

You are amazing, and an incredible role model for all of us! You have so much to share--and you share it! And we are all so much richer and wiser because of it. Thank you.

[Janet Isserlis]

yes, yes, yes, yesyes

all love,

[Janet Isserlis]

yes. exponentiallyall love,

[Amanda]

I managed that on Mother's Day. It's all in the planning. I have to plan to have a good day.

I love this quote for days like these:"Every life is a pile of good things and bad things. The good things don't always soften the bad things, but vice versa, the bad things don't necessarily spoil the good things or make them unimportant."

Happy Birthday: Here's cheers to adding to your pile of good things.

[Tree]

okay the FUCK THAT! resounded of Bob and I LOVE YOU all the more for it! I had tears today thinking of "paralyzed by what will not be" for you today. DAMN, should have came to your blog sooner. I am learning slowly, but learning none the less. ECSTATIC THAT YOU CHOSE TO HAVE A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY BECAUSE YOU DESERVE TO HAVE A BLESSED YEAR AHEAD!! I love you Leah! <3 and thank you for sharing <3

[terry]

nicely done. happy birthday!

[sarah]

I'm so glad you had a fabulous birthday!!

[BarnMaven]

I wish more people believed that attitude is a choice. Being around people who choose positive more often than not helps me to feel positive and alive, to know that there are always possibilities.

Thanks for this great post.

[Anne]

Happy Happy Birthday. And thank you for the lesson we should all live by every day. WE are in control of our days, just by how we react to them.

Once again, I am in awe of you. Bravo. And Happy Birthday again. May the fence be with you.

[Sarah]

I LOVE this. Happy post-belated BIRTHday

[Insanityonpaper.blogspot.com]

I found your blog through a link on Twitter one day and I've been following your story ever since. I just wanted to let you know that I find you truly inspirational and I think it's wonderful that you are willing to share such personal life moments. I hope people can learn from your positive example. Thank you for what you're doing!

[califmom]

Wow. Thank you.

[Susie Kline]

Happy birthday! And many more...