I love my birthday. And I love the rituals of new beginnings. Who ever came up with the idea of wishing on your birthday– I love that. My wishes become my next year’s intention – simple and clearly stated. They’ve always held more power for me than a new year’s resolution. Probably because it feels a bit whimsical and it’s mingled with frosting and sugary goodness. I would even go so far as to confess that before my birthday arrived– I practiced on the dandelions.
With a lot of social engagements this past weekend, I felt the need to get quiet and meditate. As much as I am an indisputable extrovert, I’m finding I need expansive stretches of solitude to balance that energy.
I really wanted to sit in stillness and let life have me without my stories. I wanted to surrender to the big desires I feel pulling at me this 43rd year. I wanted to let the universe know that all the work we’ve been doing the past few months– I’ve been paying attention. And I’m ready for the next step.
I chose a song I’ve heard a million times. I held open space as I listened to the words and my heart melted into tiny little fragments of light. I felt soaked in embrace with love.
I surrendered and asked the universe to help me with the next steps. Please give me a sign.
Immediately following the song I chose, comes Bob Marley’s Everything’s Gonna Be Alright. I swear our universe has the best sense of humor and timing. She answered — quite clearly and emphatically. She eased the part of me that gets fearfully fidgety and wants to plan every last detail of every future event.
Even a bit stranger in all of this was that I was sitting at my desk looking out the window on Friday and I noticed 3 birds. A yellow finch, a red cardinal and a robin. I thought it was odd to see all of them perched in a tree, pausing as if there to say something.
And then I heard this:
“Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin’ sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin’, (“This is my message to you-ou-ou:”)
Don’t worry about a thing.
Cause every little thing is gonna be alright”
So my lovelies, I am excited about starting this new year. I know I don’t need to worry about a thing– amazing things are already starting to unfold around me. And my nervous-nelly self can breathe into the stillness and let the fear go.
My wish is the same for you. What fear can you let go of? What love wants to break you open? Because I promise, everything’s gonna be alright.