Another year older...another year wiser...right?

I actually think the title of this blog holds some truth for me this year, I do feel a little bit wiser these days. Don't get me wrong, I'm obviously no Dalai Lama or anything, but I do feel that this past year has been a really big learning one for me---not textbook or academic learning---just a whole lot of life, love and relationship learning---the most important kind. And although the process it took to acquire some of my new found wisdom has not always been a pleasant one, I do have to say that I feel like the experiences of this past year have really helped to awaken me to some new ways of thinking--especially about love. A couple of simple quotes that have really hit home for me in the past year are the following;

At one of my best friend's weddings last spring, the groom's mother stood up to give a toast and she ended her toast with the simplest, yet most true statements, she simply said, through all the ups and downs of marriage, to remember one thing above all and that was, "Be kind." I remember thinking that it was such a beautiful thing to say at the moment, but it wasn't until a year later that the truth in that simple statement would ring through for me. I find it a little embarrassing, actually A LOT embarrassing that I don't feel that I had truly taken those words to heart until I was about 26.5---but I suppose it is better to learn the importance of those words a little late than never, right? At any rate, with the events of the past year, these words have been burned into my brain and I am now conciously working to remember to just "Be Kind," whatever the situation--whether I am stressed, in a hurry, talking with someone I disagree with or am upset with. I don't expect any pats on the back for this new effort and to be honest, I feel pretty ignorant to have just had this kindness epiphany this past year, but I will say that I am very happy to have had the epiphany, even if it is a little late---and I am hoping that it will be the kind of lesson that will help me to grow into a better person, a better sister, a better daughter, a better friend, a better partner and maybe even a better mother one day.

Another quote that has struck home for me is from a James Taylor song, "Shower the people you love with love." I think this quote sums up the big lesson I am taking away from year 26. I had to learn it the hard way, but when it comes down to it, I don't regret any of the pain that came along with learning the lessong because when it comes down to it, I can't think of anything more important in the world to learn and really understand.

One thing that my ex-boyfriend really got, was how to support the people that he loved--I really loved this quality of his. I think it's an Italian mafiosa gene or something...haha. While we were together he made me feel like he would always be there to be my biggest advocate no matter what I did. He's a lover by nature and more loyal to the people that he loves than anyone I have ever known. On the other hand, I tend to be more of a fighter--yes for one reason or another, I like to argue and make my point and not always in the nicest of terms. I am still not sure what it is inside of me that drives me to this, but I have made a comittment to myself to be concious of when I start to fall into fighter mode and to work to embrace supportive, loving and loyal qualities instead.

My friends and family have stepped up for me big time this year and I am excited about a year of being able to do the same for all of them!

Okay enough of my rambling about serious life lessons.

On a lighter note, I am happy to report that I had a truly lovely 27th birthday. I have to say I was a little nervous about how I would feel and whether or not "happy" would be a genuine feeling on the day, but I have to say I had many moments of genuine "happy" feelings yesterday and this year more than ever before, I know that I owe these feelings to the love and support of all the wonderful people in my life.

So here is how I spent my day.....

I relished in the peace, strength and balance I find in yoga.

I did what I do best --- Sweat! @ Spin Class.

I drank a BIG cuppa Vanilla Chai tea at my fav. little coffee shop in Palo Alto (full of stanford doctors he he).

I bought fun cards at Paper Source, now in Palo Alto...wahoo! journaled, wrote letters and listened to my favorite tunes...

I got beautiful flowers from beautiful people (thanks Kat and Erik!)

and last but not least, I indulged in BIG BOWLS of ICE CREAM, with people who have been so important to me this year :).

My new "brother" and "sister"! And Carlos in the back, sniffing around for dropped toppings!

Jen, Sierra and I.

Jerikah, Laura, Me, Erik and Kat.

These people have so kindly taken me under their wings in the past 6 months and I am so grateful for each of them! It was a truly happy birthday, having all of the love and support of these people together in one spot yesterday. And to all of the friends and family who called and wished me well from afar, I couldn't be more grateful for the amazing ways you have supported me even though we are separated by hundreds of miles.

Here's to a 27th year full of joy, peace, laughter and love!

Oh and P.S. - Kat is a great photographer and took a lot of fun photos of our evening :).
Check them out here;

Kat's Flickr Photostream