Permission To Spoil Yourself

Permission to Spoil Yourself

​I had a birthday this past week.  When I woke up, I was prepared to be sad and even depressed because I was alone.  Far away from family and anyone who might love me... or even like me a little.  Once I figured out that each day is a gift, my attitude changed just a little bit.  But I was still so lonely because I knew that no one was going to do anything nice for me for my birthday.  No cake.  No party.  No dinner invites.  I was so sad!

(In actuality, no sooner did my eyelids flutter to life, my phone started chirping with birthday wishes and greetings of love and affection.  I was not forgotten!  And suddenly I felt worthwhile.  I mattered now, because someone somewhere out in the world loved me.)

But the most poignant message I got was from my sweet niece and she said, "Happy Birthday, I hope you use this day to spoil yourself."

It dawned on me that I don't have to wait for someone else to do something nice for me.  I don't have to do without! I could do it myself!  I have been given permission to celebrate my special day even though I have to do it all by myself!  (Well, it doesn't take much to convince the Great Dane, Meera to have a party!)

As I am constantly trying to teach "my" teens that they should love themselves (before they can expect others to love them) this is one way of showing love to yourself.  What a lesson for me!  So I did...

I had an extra serving of bacon with breakfast.  I took a long, long, extra long hot shower. I went to the beach with my dog, Meera.  (There were dolphins!!  They were swimming SO close to the shore I could have walked out and touched them!!  There were hundreds of sand dollars everywhere too!)  I wrote in my latest manuscript.  I relaxed, stared out over the water and thought about the people that I loved.  I ate an entire box of chewy Sweetarts.  I watched a couple episodes of Bones and finished out the night with a favorite movie, a bowl of popcorn and a glass of wine.  The only thing I couldn't get my hands on was birthday cake.  (Because, as you know, birthday cake is the only kind of baked good that has no calories...) But it was not meant for me that day, I guess.

Overall it was a good day.  It was a good birthday.  While I love being around my friends and family for the special occasions, this has truly been a lesson that my happiness is not dependent on other people.  I could have easily chosen to spend the day in bed and stay sad that no one is doing anything nice for me, but every single birthday wish I got on my phone or on Facebook was enough for me.  I am loved.  I am treasured and not even birthday cake can say that any better!

This is the life that I have chosen for myself.  To travel and be an author and create awesome workshops as I go.  Therefore, I am going to be away from my "support group" quite a bit of the time.  I need to know how to make myself happy.  I need to love me in case there isn't anyone else around to remind me that I am lovable.  And... it's okay to spoil myself every once and again.  Because I am special.  And I am worth it.

So this is me giving you permission to spoil YOURself!  Love you for you.  Celebrate your awesome uniqueness and know that you don't have to wait for someone else to celebrate you.

(By the way, thank you everyone for the birthday wishes!  They really and truly made my day.  Each and every one brought a smile to my face!  It's good to be loved.)

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