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My apologies for the delay in writing this blog post, as I’ve been enjoying a mini vacation. I’m writing this from a beautiful beach house in Hilton Head, South Carolina. My family has come here for the week to celebrate with me, as tomorrow is my 50th birthday. Wow, 50! I remember a time when 50 year-old people seemed ancient. Did all of those people that I thought were so old feel as young then as I do now? Did the number change, or just my perspective? It no longer seems so old. Matter of fact, it doesn’t seem old at all. I feel like I’m just getting started!

What 50 brings to me is a state of reflection. Where am I? Am I where I thought I’d be at this point in my life? Funny thing is, tomorrow I’ll only be one day older than I am today, so where is all this reflective energy coming from? Why is today different from any other day? I’m guessing it’s important because of the value that I’ve placed on reaching this milestone and the norms of society for what this “should” mean. Aside from giving Hallmark a reason to be in business, sometimes I think we count our years and celebrate birthdays just to give ourselves a reminder to be reflective.

And wow, has this birthday ever been reflective! My two children decided to make this birthday a trip down memory lane. Starting a few days ago, I’ve been given several gifts each night- for a total of what will total 50- that represent a special moment in my life. Things like a package of peanut butter cups with a note from my daughter, detailing the memory of a night when she was only 4, when I woke her up at midnight to watch Dumbo with me. We ate Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups as we enjoyed the movie. Or the present marked Forever 17- the Billboard Top 10 hits of 1976- the year I graduated from high school at 17 years of age. Boy did that CD bring back some memories! And the best part about it was that I would trade where I am now for anything. I wouldn’t go back to any other place in my life even if I could!

I’m not counting but I think we’re up to 20-30 memory gifts so far, and it’s been wonderful. It makes me realize just how lucky I am. It makes me profoundly grateful for this wonderful family we’ve created. We have 10 people here celebrating, from age 19 to 76, from CO, CA, TN, CT, PA and even from Kosovo. We’re a multi-generational, multi-cultural group with diverse political and religious beliefs, tied by blood, marriage or deep friendship- yet we’re still family. We’re bound by strong ties that bring us and keep us together. I can’t imagine anywhere I’d rather be today, or anyone else I’d rather spend my birthday with tomorrow.

This birthday time makes me reflect on the fact that it’s taken me 50 years to create this life, to be where I am right now. I’ve spent each and every day for 50 years to bring me to this exact moment, this exact breath- right now. Am I happy with it? Am I content with the path I’ve chosen? I smile as I write this, for YES, I’m not only happy, but grateful for the life I have. There isn’t anything I’d rather be doing- and I guess that’s good, because this is the life I’ve chosen.

Makes me wonder what else is coming. Am I half way yet? My great grandparents and my grandparents all lived to be nearly 100- and that was years ago. With the longevity and health practices we’re learning, reaching 100 should be easy! Personally, I’m shooting for 120 so I’m not even ½ way yet! Realizing that I have so much life left to live makes me want to grab my bicycles and go ride on this beautiful beach I can see from the deck where I’m writing this. As much as I love bringing you along vicariously, I still have a lot of life to live in the next 70 years, so I’d better get started. I’m off to discover more muscles in my butt that I didn’t know I had until I used them this week. Bicycling for an entire day will do that to you- but it’s good for you too. And just like I can now believe that 50 isn’t old, perhaps I’ll take a look at what other thoughts I still have that I’d like to change for the next 50 years. Woohoo! Looking forward to celebrating my 100th birthday!

p.s. Happy Birthday (early or belated) to all of you who celebrate a birthday this year too! ☺

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Gail Lynne Goodwin is the founder of InspireMeToday.com, bringing the best inspiration to the world. InspireMeToday.com provides free inspiration, each day from a new Inspirational Luminary, to a global community of folks from over 150 countries. Gail has interviewed many well-known names including Sir Richard Branson, Guy Laliberte, Seth Godin, Tony Hseih, Gary Vaynerchuk, Michael Gerber, Marci Shimoff, Jack Canfield and hundreds more. According to Mashable, Gail was one of 2009's Top 25 Most Inspirational People on Twitter.

Prior to InspireMeToday.com, Gail spent several years as manager for her recording artist daughter, Carly. As a result of the success of their co-penned song, "Baby Come Back Home", Gail accompanied her daughter to bases in the US and to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba where Carly performed for our troops. Gail and Carly created the 'World's Longest Letter' of love and support and delivered the 18-mile long scroll on a month-long tour of Iraq and the Persian Gulf in 2006.

Gail is excited to present her latest course, Love in 21 Days, a step-by-step guide to finding love online. Love in 21 Days is founded on a logical process that has been tested - and proven! - by not only Gail, but also by students around the world who too have found love.

Gail is a published author and a regular writer for the Huffington Post. She offers mentoring and mastermind services to clients worldwide from her home in Whitefish, Montana. Follow Gail on Twitter or Google+.

This Post Has 9 Comments

  1. Happy, happy birtday, Gail! What an amazing way to remember this birthday, with all those wonderful trips down memory lane with the people who are close to you. 🙂

  2. Happy to you, Gail!

    When my baby was little, he sang “Happy to you, happy to you.” We had so many birthdays, he would sing it when there wasn’t a party. His song reminds me that every day is special–just some days inspire more celebration and reflection. I am so happy for you to be with your family on the beach. Have a glorious day and be happy every day.

    Joy~

    Jeanette

  3. Gail, I’m so amazed with your writing! Inspire me today is a perfect name for your blog. I love Hilton Head. In fact, I love North and South Carolina Beaches. There’s just something about the lazy, laid back feeling of the beaches of the South that I just don’t get in California. I grew up going to those beaches on the East coast every year and still have great friends there. I start getting this relaxed feeling about five miles away from the ocean. It overtakes me like no other place on earth. I have several friends who have turned 50 in the last few years. They all say that they feel the same as they did in their 20’s but with more wisdom. How amazing is that?! A youthful spirit but with you much more to teach the world. I look forward to seeing what you teach us in your next five decades. I know it will be amazing! Think of me when you’re eating some peel and eat shrimp with a cold beer outside on some picturesque veranda? See you soon!
    Angie
    @aaswartz on Twitter
    http://www.sixfiguremomsclub.com

  4. Well, we’re joining the club together (I turned 50 on Saturday) – congratulations and Happy Birthday to you!

  5. Good morning, Gail! Happy happy birthday! I wanted to alert you that I’m sending you and e-card so you don’t delete it thinking it’s spam. I hope you have a marvelous birthday! Enjoy every joyous moment with your family. May the Lord bless you outrageously! Lynn

  6. Gail,
    A very special Happy Birthday to you my friend – follow your purpose path and know
    that with each step it is filled with moments to be inspired.
    Life is truly a gift!
    Keep the faith,
    Rick and the LifesGift Team

  7. Hello Gail,

    A Happy, way belated birthday!

    When you look back at your years and perhaps still ask yourself, “What is the difference between all those years and now?” having turned 50, it is this …

    Because of what you do – EVERY day is your birthday!

    In loving support,
    Bosco Pereira

    PS
    Among the things I pray for you are:
    1. You will try to find quiet time for yourself, that you may be lucid in your thinking.
    2. That you do not try to carry the load all by yourself.
    3. That you have the wisdom to sort throught the noise and clutter, that after the Global Hug Tour, you do not forget that peace can be found in the little gestures as well.

    You see, our quest to make big marks is indeed noble. Nevertheless, God does not gauge repeat performances the way mortals do. You’ve done well. So, DON’T forget about the proper care and feeding of Gail herself. God Bless You!

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