I’m celebrating my birthday this week
with some gentle hikes and deep breaths and easy togetherness
with ones that I love
and a gift I’m giving myself that is so simple
(like this, my word for the year)
that it helps knead out the strain I sometimes carry
over being another year into this thing
that I sometimes feel I’m doing rather badly.
Life.
It’s such a big deal.
And I want to do it wholehearted.
So I’m giving myself a wide generous spread of permission
to make enough mistakes;
(you almost can’t make enough, you know)
and to dance badly
and more, please,
to love out loud-er,
to ask for crazy stuff,
to not take it on heavy when someone calls my art “my work”
(I know it’s my play)
and to forgive like my happiness depends on it,
to feel free, in fact,
to give away more than seems reasonable,
to show up even when I’m gimpy
(maybe especially when I’m gimpy)
and to believe that Life is also sweet on me.
To feel free
to just
feel free.
To help celebrate another year of living, I’m pouring some handwritten love
through my etsy shop this week
…..if you want to order one of these for yourself
or as a gift for someone else, this gardener will be honored to help
do some intuitive soul-tending in that beautiful heart of yours:)
Because I love sharing the journey with you.
I want to sing like the birds sing,
not worrying about who hears
or what they think.”
-Rumi
~
Happy birthday sweetness.
We share the anniversary of our birth (down to the week if not the day) and I would be so proud if I could share some of your bountiful heart and talent. I warm my hands at its blaze with each visit.
I love that we share the week!
Oh do take a week, at least:)
I love being alive, don’t you.
Happy birthday squeeze:)
-Jennifer
Happy birthday, sweet friend! I don’t think I know anyone who lives life as whole-heartedly as you do! “Simple” is a great word for the year.
Thanks, dear Barbara:)
My word is actually “live” but simple is so much a part of that
that I wouldn’t know how to separate:) Simply live;)
Much life and simplicity to us all,
Jennifer
Happy Birthday sweet Jennifer.
I love your poetic wisdom. Celebrate Life to the full. I hope 2015 is the Best Year yet.
Hugs,
JB
Thanks, friend!
I believe it’s gonna be a beautiful ride:)
much love and aliveness to you, Julia,
Jennifer
Happy Birthday my dear friend! The perfect word of the year…just live! Love the simplicity of it all!
I love simple more and more, don’t you:)
Enjoy these beautiful moments as they come,
Jennifer
Happy Birthday! Your sense of celebration and your spirit of freedom are infectious. I just returned from a brisk morning walk with a mix and match group of friends -and today I feel as you do – free. Every stop by your blog brings me inspiration, color and awareness. I really love your perspective on work as play (or it is vice versa ?). For years, I felt like I should turn my play into work – and I was wrong. Have a relaxing Sunday!
Isn’t it funny how we have to learn to play again
as we get “wiser”. I totally believe in play:)
Enjoy the moments as they come,
Jennifer
Happy Birthday! All those flowers and color are so hopeful….. I’m in a “playing” with art mood these days…. something about January?
xo
dulcy
January begs for color and lots of it, doesn’t it:)
Happy fresh playtime,
Jennifer
Happy Birthday beautiful girl! I’m all for your word and also what Robin said–living fully is the best goal of all. Eyes and heart wide open. Less is often more. The way I see you, you are already there. Now just to continue to BE–what more could any of us want?
I’m off to swim like a fish in a pool–a warm pool, that is-:) Happy weekend!
Be. A high calling, isn’t it:)
Thanks for sharing your beautiful heart here,
Jennifer
Susan recently posted: For everything there is a season: Blogcation!
Wishing you a wonderful birthday full of good things!
Thanks, friend…..I’m embracing a whole week of wonder
with some fresh eyes and it’s a beautiful ride:)
-Jennifer
Wishing for your Birthday to be as special as YOU ARE Jennifer!! xo
There’s always comes such a beautiful breath of fresh air when seeing your photos. It takes me back instantly into that sacred place in nature. Lovely post.
I’m so glad you dropped by, friend, and thanks so much
for your order! Happy dance:)
So glad we get to share those deep breaths and fresh skies,
Jennifer
Happy birthday, jennifer!! I love that we share a birthday week. I am honored that we have the same sign so that just maybe I share some of your amazing incredibleness. Love you! Kath
Soul sisters:) I love how you love,
your beautiful heart:)
Much birthday joy to you
and may it linger long:)
-Jennifer
Huge happy birthday wishes this week to you. I have to say, you have picked quite the amazing gift — not an easy gift to give or receive but boy, if you can master it, three cheers. And if anyone can, I think that will be you. Much joy to you in your new year.
Thanks, friend; it’s a lifelong process, me thinks:)
But I’m giving myself permission to dive on in.
hope you January well,
Jennifer
Hope you enjoy a wonderful birthday Jennifer! I love all the beautiful permissions you are given yourself. They are those each could use more. Photos are stunning as always.
Thanks Wanda:) I’m glad you stopped by.
Wish I could offer you some cake:)
love and warm hugs,
-Jennifer
Noble goals, all of them and ones I seek for as well. Have a wonderful Birthday week my friend.
thanks Bren…..definitely taking the week:)
love and warm hugs,
Jennifer
Happy Birthday dear Jennifer and live that Life of yours a bit bolder and louder…are enough just as you are right now! Big hugs to you!
bolder and louder….yes:) yes, thank you:)
love and warm hugs,
Jennifer
Oh, you do my soul so much good. Have a fabulous birthday, dear, sweet sister.
So glad you stopped by, Susan…..birthday joy to you, too, friend!
Love celebrating our days together,
Jennifer
Loving this birthday cheer! Grateful for your big gulp of ease and life. Happy birthday beautiful!
Big gulp of ease…..yes, that’s what I’m wanting.
An easy joy. Thanks for being such an awesome
traveling companion:)
-Jennifer
I love that you call your play your PLAY!!!! <3 <3 <3 This is going to be on my mind for some good amount of time. And more space to make mistakes!! yes!! What a crazy cage we have built for ourselves and our fellow humans–that which doesn't allow for mistakes. Bust OUT, baby!! Happy Birthday. Thanks for sharing your play with the world.
Bust out, baby….I’ll carry that with me:):):)
Thanks for those breezy words of wisdom, Jana;
so glad for the gift of getting to travel along with you this year!
Glad you stopped by,
Jennifer
Wishing you great happiness and joy that never ends!!!! Happy Birthday Jennifer
I love those wishes….thanks, Kathryn:)
Much joy right back to you,
Jennifer
Happy birthday Jen!
The link was not working because you forget the “:” but I corrected the link in my web bar and will take a look at all your beauties. 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
(And don’t forget to make a wish!)
Lindsay
Thanks for letting me know about the link….so tech challenged, me:/
I appreciate your kind well wishes; a very big hug:)
-Jennifer
I know you had an extra Happy Birthday this year just knowing John is a lot better now.
You write so beautifully for so many people to enjoy and I do thank you for sharing with us.
Sherri and I are working on getting everyone together again soon!
Love to you always,
Cathy
It’s always so good to see your name, even when I can’t see your lovely face.
Thanks so much for coming by to help me celebrate:) I love you, dear cousin:)
-Jennifer