Question of the Week
Gratitude On My Birthday
Hey all! Happy Friday.
Today is a very special day for me. It’s my birthday!
I love celebrating my birthday because I always feel so much love, kindness, and appreciation. It still feels a bit unreal that I’ve been on this earth for 43 years.
I took a trip down nostalgia lane this past Christmas digging through old photos and other stuff helping my mom pack to move. One of the best finds was an autobiography of “The Younger Years” that I wrote in seventh grade. It’s funny to read about what 12-year-old Brian thought was important back then – Nestle Crunch bars, climbing trees with my friends, karate fighting on the playground, and getting to Disney World.
In a true RuPaul’s Drag Race Finale moment, I asked myself what I would tell this young Brian. I would say to him to get ready for a wild ride. The next three decades will be full of joy, insecurity, sadness, exhilaration, fear, pride, and exhaustion. I’d experience the death of several people close to me, including my father, who I wasn’t talking to at the time. I’d face paralyzing fear around being my true self, coming out, falling in love, and realize that’s just the beginning of learning how to love myself and other people. (And I’d still be figuring it out at 43). And I would take one of the most significant risks of my life in starting my own business only to realize it’s as scary as I thought it was and totally worth it.
Above all, I’d tell myself to celebrate the big moments and don’t miss the little ones that happen every day. The smile and words of encouragement of a friend. The frequent touch and kiss of a partner. Dancing the night away on a weeknight and being exhausted for work the next day. That is life, in each moment.
I want to thank all of you who have contributed to so many unforgettable moments these first 43 years. I’m infinitely grateful to have so many kind, caring, and supportive people in my life. I will do my best to continue to be present for every day that comes.
Quote of the Week
You know it doesn’t make much sense
There ought to be a law against
Anyone who takes offense
At a day in your celebration
’Cause we all know in our minds
That there ought to be a time
That we can set aside
To show just how much we love you
And I’m sure you would agree
It couldn’t fit more perfectly
Than to have a world party on the day you came to be
– Stevie Wonder
Task of the Week
Enjoy your moments this weekend! I know I will be.