I have been alive for 12,417 days. 

 

Tomorrow is my birthday. I will turn 34 years old. 

 

My birthday plan: run and lift weights (to celebrate what my body can do), splash in the ocean, look for sea turtles, read O: The Oprah Magazine while sunbathing on the beach, cry sad tears, cry happy tears, call mom and dad to say "thank you for drinking margaritas on your vacation in Mexico all those years ago, which led to getting tipsy, which led to creating me!" Also, I will get a ridiculously fancy latte with all kinds of things sprinkled on top because... why not?! Also, cake.

 

I love the fact that my birthday happens to arrive in December. Farewell, old year. Hello, new beginnings. December always feels like a good time to contemplate deep questions and set new intentions.

 

Here are some questions I'm asking myself right now...

 

1. What were my goals at the beginning of this year?

 

2. Are my goals the same—or have things changed?

 

3. Is there something I’ve been doing lately—like a writing project, a business project, or any kind of project or commitment—that’s not feeling “right” anymore? Do I need to keep doing it? What would happen if I just stopped?

 

4. What’s something I’m sick of hearing myself say, over and over? Like, “I really need to start…” “I really need to stop…” “Seriously, for real, this week I will…”

 

5. What’s something I definitely want to create, achieve, or experience before the end of this year?

 

6. What’s something I definitely want to create, achieve, or experience next year?

 

7. Who are some people I feel "jealous" of right now—and why? What do they have—or appear to have—that I want?

 

8. Who’s someone who’s been an important part of my life this year—like an amazing friend, mentor, or colleague? Have I said “thank you” to that person recently?

 

9. What’s something I see out in the world that breaks my heart? What could I do, say, create, or contribute to be “part of the solution”?

 

10. Fill in the blank: “This year, one of the best decisions I made was _______.”

 

11. And lastly: Fill in the blank: “This year, I feel proud of myself because _______.”

 

Maybe you’d like to answer those questions in your journal, on your blog, or with loved ones around the dinner table. And if you enjoy digging into interesting questions, you might like this, too.

 

Have a beautiful day.

 

Please live "like it's your birthday" even if it's not. 

 

-Alex

 

PS. Here is a silly video of me attempting to do "cool hip hop break dancing moves" but then tragically falling on my butt and laughing a lot. Enjoy!

 

PPS. I love this sonnnnnnng!