Birthdays the My Energy Way
For some of us, birthdays are an excuse to over indulge – to eat ice cream and cake, drink too much beer or wine, and put away an entire “Bloomin’ Onion” all by ourselves. We lament our lost youth and freedom, or wax nostalgic for a life pre-Spanx when we used to be able to . . . (fill in the blank). The over-30 crowd with our ever-slowing metabolism approaches birthdays with the question, “Can I still have my cake and eat it too?” When you celebrate birthdays the My Energy way, the answer is, “Absolutely!”
Today I celebrated my birthday with a ritual I began almost 10 years ago – running my age in minutes. I adopted this practice based on the habit of one of my running partners. It seemed like a very easy task when I was in my 30s and remains manageable now that I am in my 40s. I hope I can continue it for a few more decades! The founder of my women’s cycling group completed a 55-mile bike ride on her 55th birthday – which she happened to celebrate on May 5. How can anyone ignore that serendipity!?
For me, birthdays have become a day to take special care of myself, especially from a health and wellness standpoint. Last year, I completed my celebratory run in the foothills of Boulder, CO, and then indulged in outdoor yoga beneath a crystal blue sky as the sun rose overhead. Rather than experiencing concern over a few new grey hairs or more noticeable wrinkles, I felt invigorated. Birthdays celebrated the My Energy way emphasize what our bodies still CAN do, rather than what they CAN’T.
So celebrate your next birthday the My Energy way. Go for a run. Hop on your bike. Take a walk with the family – or go solo and enjoy some time to yourself. Meditate. Mark your years in minutes or miles of movement. Embrace adventures and achievements to come, rather than mourn those that have passed.
Do you have a birthday ritual aligned with the My Energy philosophy? If so, please share it with us here.
