17 & A Decade: My 27th year.

Happiest of birthdays to me!!!!!!!!!

My 27th year of life!

This blog post is all about me. I have 27 things to be grateful for. I would like to say them unapologetically to all those who are willing to read them. Here it goes….

The things I’m most grateful for at 27:

1. My two beautiful, wonderful children. Austin and Aurora.
2. My beauty. I don’t give myself enough credit for being naturally beautiful.
3. My charisma. Those who have had the privilege of being around me and in my presence know that I allow each human being to be themselves unapologetically and joyfully at that.
4. My “Why not have both?” approach to life. I have always said to everyone I can/could “you can have it all!” and I meant/mean it every time. Choose the path that allows you to have it all. It’s better to have tried and failed then to have never tried at all.
5. My kindness. Although I wasn’t always kind growing up… I learned and grew to understand that a person doesn’t have anything to give but their kindness. If you have nothing else to offer, offer your kindness. It is the most natural state of being (I believe).
6. My optimism. I have the ability to see only the good in others’ situations. Never the bad. I always encourage others to move forward and remind them that everything is going to be okay and is just how it needs to be right now.
7. My humor. I seriously am so funny. I want everyone to just smile or have fun. I seriously cannot help it!!!! In 8th grade (one of my greatest accomplishment and proudest moments HAHAHAHA) I won Comedian for my whole class. I just always knew that creating laughter was raising the vibration in a room!
8. My gratitude. When I was growing up I couldn’t help but be angry. Anger came naturally to me and right before I became a mother something just snapped and I realized how ungrateful I had been for most of my life. Now, I don’t take anything for granted. I choose to live in the frequency of gratitude because it’s the only state to be in, to allow good things to happen and unfold.
9. My privilege. I have been extremely blessed with two immigrant parents who wanted more for themselves and because of their sacrifices… I was given the world growing up.
10. My past. I look back at my past experiences, relationships and beliefs and am so amazed at how far I’ve come to be who I am today.
11. My friendships. I KNOW I am highly favored by God for gifting me THE MOST INCREDIBLE HUMAN BEINGS I could have ever cross paths and have connected with. Each and every one of my friends are seriously the most beautiful (inside and out), kindest and intelligent people I have and have had in my corner. I am who I am because of them. I think the way I do because of them. I love them because they love me unconditionally. I am nothing without them. I hold each and everyone one of them in my heart no matter how much time has passed or how long we haven’t spoken. I don’t forget nor take for granted the time, memories and love they have all given and shown me.
12. My audacity. I can’t help it nor do I ever want to. I will never NOT speak my mind, especially when everyone else is thinking it but not daring to say it.
13. My curiosity. I can’t help but ask “Why?”. My continuous desire to learn will never stop.
14. My taste. I like what I like. I will never justify my taste in music, art or cinema. Being proud of what I support and enjoy is something that I will never be embarrassed about.
15. My style. I, till this day, am figuring out what I like, what I don’t like and what feels comfortable and right for me. I feel I’m not tied to one specific “look or style” and I like it that way. If I want to be a modern day hippie, I’ll be that. If I want to be classy and elegant, I can be that. If I want to dress hobo chic, that I’ll be too! I’m never going to put myself in a box to be classified as a specific type of woman.
16. My resiliency. Throughout my life, I have moved from city to city, school to school, friend group to friend group and I never gave up. I always rolled with the punches. I was always excited for something new. I, of course, would reminisce about my past and “somewhat missed opportunities” but I never dwelled. I literally couldn’t. I was always up for the unknown. The unknown excites me…
17. My mother. My mom has never ever given up on me. She is my greatest teacher. My fiercest companion in this lifetime. I don’t know where I’d be right now if it wasn’t for her. I love her so much it hurts. She’s all I have and all I’ve ever needed.
18. My stubbornness. Once I’ve given myself the green light, I go. I do. I don’t doubt, I just start. Do I finish? Eh. But I have the bravery to start AND TO STOP when I want to. And no one can take that away from me.
19. My father. I had my dad all my life and I learned a great deal from him. I got my charm, magnetism and big personality from him. I miss him.
20. My courage. I’m not scared to say what I want to say. When I’m passionate about something I don’t fear the judgment of others. I have the courage to do what I want and think about the consequences (whether good or bad) after the fact.
21. My inner child. I believe I haven’t stopped being the playful little girl I’ve always been. My younger version of me would be proud of the woman I am continuously evolving into with every year I live.
22. My ability to love deeply. It comes so easily and naturally to me. I love love. Always have. Always will.
23. My luck. I am so damn lucky it’s not even funny at this point, LOL. I am so lucky with all I’ve experienced, felt and have had that it’s surreal at times.
24. My family. Although, I’ve pride myself in being the black sheep of the family, I love them. I love that though our beliefs and approaches to life are different, they’re still there for me.
25. My personality. I don’t question why I think the way I do or act the way I do anymore because I know I’m a unique individual and have to honor my individuality, or else who else will?
26. The person I chose to father my children. Having a companion the past decade by my side to learn and grow up with has been incredibly rewarding. The time shared together will always be a beautiful memory. I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
27. My future. I don’t know what’s to come… but I’m already so incredibly grateful for it and know that it’s more than I can ever imagine…

Here’s to 17 + a decade… My first (of many birthdays) to come celebrating with just me, myself and I.