Yesterday I celebrated my big 5-0! Actually, I continued the celebration since my husband managed to pull off a surprise party for me last weekend. So much for my post-race veg-out plans. 😉
Life has been pretty busy lately and I wasn’t sure what I’d say about my birthday until I remembered my first Friday Five post of 2017 set Five Goals On Turning 50. True to form, once I wrote out those goals I never checked back in on them, but I think I managed to achieve them all–especially if I can double count our European vacation as travelling somewhere new for fun and enjoying my children as adults.
But I’m not writing this post to re-hash my goals. Instead, I’m sharing five thoughts about being 50–with thanks and apologies to Rachel at Running on Happy and Lacey and Miranda at Fairytales and Fitness for taking liberties with the Friday Five link up theme.
Five Thoughts On Being 50
My first thought on being 50 is that I am much calmer than I used to be. Yes, I am still a Type-A over-achiever, but I have gotten better at not stressing over that which I cannot control. You know how they say, “You can’t scare me–I have children”? I think that saying gets truer the older your children get–not because older children are scary, but because you learn that mistakes will be made and overcome and they are stronger and more resilient than you think.
My second thought on being 50 is that life is too short to do things I don’t want to do. Whether it’s finish a poorly written book, run in miserable weather, or clean my kitchen floors, I don’t have time for that! That’s not to say I am done doing hard things. If I set a goal I will train to reach it–even in bad weather–and if we’re having company, I will get out the mop. But if I don’t have a big race on my calendar hitting the snooze button may not be worst way to spend a rainy Saturday morning.
My third thought on being 50 is that people matter most. I chose ~namaste~ as my “word” for the year, and I have been focusing on seeing the humanity in everyone I encounter. I was miffed at Starbucks for giving me only four days to use my birthday reward because I didn’t really want anything special yet, when I decided to use it to buy breakfast for one of the homeless women who warm up at my office Starbucks. She was grateful, but it was my heart that grew larger.
My fourth thought on being 50 is that I am so blessed. My husband and I are going strong after 29 years of marriage. My kids are awesome. My Mom is a rock. My friends are fantastic. I love my job and my colleagues make even the stressful times fun.
My fifth thought on being 50 is that it’s more important than ever to take care of myself. I am still crossing off all those doctor’s appointments that need to be made, and also trying to carve out more down time to tend to my spiritual and mental well-being. This is an awkward segue into my annual birthday message which I urge you to read and heed–even if you know the story by heart now.
Now, who wants cake?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
Happy birthday! It sounds like you have been partying it up 😉
Hey, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity! 🙂
Happy Birthday! Nice cake! I was disappointed I didn’t get my Starbucks free drink on my birthday this weekend. It never came in my app:(
I should have mentioned that I am blessed to have friends who know how to bake! Crazy about the starbucks reward. 🙁
Happy Birthday!!! Can I just say that my 50s have been fabulous so far–all things considered. I agree with all that you say–life really does change and the little things just don’t seem as important anymore.
Plus new age group!
I think I have to move up a few more AGs before I can place – we’ve got some speedy women around here.
Life is too short to do things that you don’t enjoy doing! I was kind of annoyed that the Starbucks birthday free coffee was only available for one day. My friends bought my coffee on my bday and my award expired. Not cool! Hope you had a fabulous birthday!
Gosh, maybe I’m lucky I had 4 days to use mine? Quite annoying! Glad your friend treated you though. 😉
Welcome to our 50s & Happy birthday!
My kitchen floor is often messy. Heck, the whole kitchen is often messy. It does make Thanksgiving a bit stressful, all the cleaning — cooking/baking I can handle, but the cleaning. Yuck! I’d hire someone to do it, but it’s not always as easy as it sounds.
I’m also with you on not finishing a book that doesn’t hold my interest. Life is, indeed, too short.
Happy birthday weekend!
P.S. Obviously I go rogue on Friday 5 all the time. 🙂
I truly love this post! Happy birthday and I hope you continue celebrating! Welcome to the 5-0 Club 😉
Happy Birthday … with a big (virtual) hug from IOwa 😉 I totally agree with everything you mentioned….people are important and deserve respect, especially the ones who are the hardest to show it towards. Happy celebrating!!
Happy Birthday and welcome to the new decade (and age group). Yes, priorities and perspective are what ring true for me as well. Life truly is too short to be doing things we don’t want to.
I agree with all your life lessons learned! I just try to find a reason to smile now even when things aren’t great…and yes to only spending time on things that really matter 🙂
It is a great thing you discovered that blood clot and had a very good outcome!
Happy Birthday! Cheers to many more.
Congratulations on the Big 5-0! It looks like you are at a very happy point in your life and you deserve all that happiness! 🙂 Happy Birthday!!
It is so wonderful of you to buy breakfast for somebody else. I am very moved at your act of kindness!
Happy birthday!
Happy 50th! I love that you redeemed a reward for a homeless woman.
Happy birthday! While I have decided not to waste my time on stuff, I am still easily stressed out. It’s all about balance I guess.
Happy Birthday!! Congrats on achieving your goals. I hope you can continue celebrating and have a great weekend!
Again, happy birthday. I’m so glad you had (are having) an amazing celebration. You deserve it. <3
You are one of the kindest people I've ever known — even though most of it's been through blogging — and of course you would use your birthday gift card for someone in need. You're amazing.
Wishing you happiness, love, and health for your 50th. Happy birthday!
Oh YOU are so kind! I’m so glad I got to meet you before MCM. Hope a business trip or race bring us together again soon! 🙂
Happy 50th! Nothing better then birthday surprises!
Happy Birthday!!!!
I love it when I get a free gift from Starbucks. I love the idea of buying breakfast for the homeless woman.
Dear Courtenay. What wonderful words of wisdom, thankfulness and encouragement. Life has ways of teaching us lessons and how awesome that we’re blessed to experience each and every lesson with God at our side. Happy, Happy 50th Birthday!! Congratulations on all of your accomplishments thru the years and many wishes for many more to come.
❤️❤️
Thanks, Joyce! Much love to you. xxooxx
Happy birthday!! What a wonderful list. I turned 50 this year, too. It does make you kind of take a look at your life and evaluate what’s really worth your time. I am definitely happier and healthier than ever, and helping others to be, too — and that is a blessing!
I am so happy to know you! These are all awesome, I especially like #2 & #3. Basically, you do you. It’s a good life rule really. Happy birthday!
Right back at you! You are so inspiring and add a bit of zany fun to my life.
A very happy birthday to you! Fifty felt FABULOUS, and it only got better from there!
Happy birthday! These are awesome tips for everyone. Thank you for sharing.
Happy birthday!! I think as we get older we really focus on cutting out the things that don’t matter. I hope you enjoyed that delicious looking cake!
Happy belated birthday!!! I agree with Janelle, that they older that we get the more that we turn away/don’t focus on the things that don’t make our life great. Keep focusing on your family and those people and things that enrich your life!