Go on, Make a Wish

June is my birthday month and this year was a “big” one.  I love a reason to celebrate so this being a milestone birthday only added to my excitement.  In my mind, those closest to me would be anticipating my day and the fun surrounding it with the same amount of enthusiasm and delight as I.  In fact, not only would they be anticipating it, they would also (surely) be planning for it - maybe even coming up with a few creative ways to help me ring in the occasion.  It was amazing how special I made my birthday in other people’s minds!  Embarrassing, but true.      

As the day drew closer, it occurred to me that the birthday celebration I was hoping for existed only in my imagination.  Nothing resembling what I was dreaming up was actually going to happen if I didn’t let someone know what I wanted.  That’s all well and good, but the idea of saying what I want feels more like finger nails on a chalkboard than peaches and cream on a hot summer day.  Funny, I have no trouble encouraging others to say what they want, but somehow I haven’t given myself the same permission.  Until now.

What ended up happening was a testament to Maya Angelou’s wise words: “Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it!”.  Once I started letting people know how I’d like to celebrate, things began to happen that felt exciting and new.  For starters, my ideas shift shaped into better versions of their original form.  Beyond that, my hope to have a great day ballooned into having an unforgettable weekend of fun and festivity.  It was all so wonderful!  And to think, all it took was a little bit of courage to speak out loud and be seen.  Sometimes we forget that the joy we get from bringing happiness to the people we love goes both ways.  This was the first time my wish came true before blowing out birthday candles.

What dream do you want to make a reality?