My 37th birthday is next Friday.
Birthdays don't mean what they used to and that's as great as it is sad.
Do I miss the childlike excitement of receiving copious, materialistic love? Of course.
What I love about being (gulp) almost 40 is that my birthdays have become a celebration of the things I love. Since, I love you - that includes you!
So, this year, on my birthday - here are some FREE ways you can celebrate with me:
*Reach out to someone you haven't talked to in a while & tell them how much they mean to you.
*Apologize to someone you've been at odds with.
*Do a favor for a stranger.
*Really consider the other side of an argument you have a strong opinion about. Empathize with difference.
*Ask a cashier how they're doing and mean it.
*Share a story of how awesome someone is.
*Write a poem or a song about something that matters to you.
*Talk to a homeless person.
*Read a book you own that you've been meaning to read but haven't made time for.
*Leave a nice note for your mail carrier.
*Walk the harbor walk in Boston. Seriously. It's a beautiful, goddamn city.
*Make a meal with your roommate, partner, sibling, parent - WITH SOMEONE YOU LOVE.
*Tweet at someone you admire with a compliment
*Write a letter to a teacher or mentor who inspired you / changed your life.
*Have a whole conversation where you focus on listening.
*Do something you really want to do but you've been afraid of it - karaoke, roller coaster, improv, ask someone out
*Tell as many people as you can how you feel about them.
*Forgive yourself for something you regret. You deserve it.
I love you guys. I really do. I feel like I'm afloat on a community of wonderful people who have shown me life, laughter and love. Thank you to my family, Paula, Tristan, ImprovBoston, the Boston comedy scene, Boston Pedicab maniacs, the Majesters, my West Springfield people, my Westfield people, my friends from BC, regulars at Bukowski Tavern, Inman and Central Square connections, and Camberville as a whole, former students, former coworkers and to people I remember fondly who left too soon (Uncle Joe, Nana, Grammy Bein, TC, Peter, Erin, Joe, Krystal, Mona, Brian, Michael, Katie). I am you. Thank you. I hope I make you feel like you make me feel.
