Lucky 36

Lucky 36. 

I expected fireworks and many 'light-bulb moments'...

I was wrong...it seems like it's just another day. Ahhh well.

In years gone by I lived it up and had a ball...celebrating at a restaurant or hotel...

photo credit - CK Correia all rights reserved Grafton Beach, Tobago

Last year I even had a 3-day celebration when I resided in the sister isle....which included Friday night drinks and dinner at Cafe Coco, a morning at the Face and Body Spa at the Magdalena Grand, a home cooked lunch at my place by my bro and girlfriend who came to visit.

This was followed by drinks and entertainment at Coco Reef Hotel where I got a special birthday rendition on the pan followed by Karaoke, more serenading and wine at Bago Bar in Pigeon Point! (I need to play "She's Just 16 years old/Into the Night" by Benny Mardones for old time's sake!--my friend just called and told me don't sing!) It all ended with an epic day at the beach with some co-workers, which unfortunately resulted in me stumping my toe on a rock and ending up at the Health Centre the next day! That didn't stop me from an encore when a friend took me to a belated birthday dinner the following Wednesday night before I went home for the long Emancipation Day weekend!

Yes...that was LAST year....

This year found me in solitary confinement (not really...just being melodramatic)....I spent most of the day at home with my family being pampered with a delicious breakfast and lunch. Nothing better than waking up to hot bakes and smoked herring! If you're West Indian or ever spent time vacationing in the Caribbean...you know this is a tradition...especially Bake and Shark at Maracas Bay, Trinidad. If you haven't tried it yet...it's a MUST! And ask for the special condiments: cucumber salsa, shadon beni, tamarind sauce and more...Makes your mouth water huh!

A friend of mine got me the book by T.D. Jakes: "Woman Thou Art Loosed" on Amazon as a birthday gift...so I started reading it on my kindle. Gave myself a mani and pedi while listening to my audio book, then headed off to church for the 5 pm mass. When I returned I had some wine and watched Joel Osteen on TBN....I'm having loads of fun in my 'old' age! But that made my day complete...He always speaks to my situation and I felt my concerns dissipate. I felt an immediate release.

searched for this wine everywhere since my first taste in Texas!

Last night I sat on my porch for the last time as 35 and recounted the many moments of the previous year...Yup...it was a glorious year...I don't regret a thing. My sister told me something interesting a few months ago....Hindsight is 20/20...

As the midnight hour rolled around, I believe I experienced a brief metamorphosis. It's so strange I felt all the things I was worried about over the past few months just seem irrelevant in the whole scheme of things. I wondered what I was fussing over in the first place...#TimeWasted

I've gained a lot of wisdom over the years and I am thankful for the people and events that helped me to get here. It's been a #Goodyear ! I hope God continues to show me favour in this my 36th year. I have Him to thank for life. After my ordeal last month, a couple of my friends said He has plans for me!

With that said, I will share with you my pearls of wisdom which is probably cliché but the difference is that I've learnt all these things on my own, the hard way...it's been a long journey and I am learning each day as I go along. Sometimes I need to take my own advice!

Let Go and Let God

Sometimes it's difficult to let go of people and familiar situations that once brought you a sense of peace, comfort or happiness. But I've learnt that not all that glitters is gold. Ask for the gift of discernment. Not everybody is for you or your 'friend.' As we say in trini: "not all skin teeth is smile." I've learnt that the hard way too. Apart from that, people change, life changes, sometimes they move on mentally long before the physical manifests itself. When this happens, you need to exit stage left. Self-preservation is of utmost importance and it pays off in the long run.

What you Give, is What you Get

I spoke about this in my first book. You can't expect to give off hostility and angst and get rewarded with peace and good fortune. Be good, do good and good will follow you. 


Be Present for the Present!

Before you know it, this moment is gone and then you would wish you savoured it more. That's all I have to say...you never know what you have till it's gone. The same is true for people and situations. Make the most of each and every moment or live with regret.

All is Fair in Love and War!

What is for you is you! Be patient, be discerning and watch it all unfold!

"For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning!" Psalm 30:50

Peace & Love my lovelies...

Until next time...

Remember:

30 is the new 20

50 is the new 40

and...

You're only as old as you feel!

You've got one life to life...make the most of it, make an impact and Live it UP!

That's all she wrote...and now the day is done!

Happy Birthday to ME :D

Cheers~

photo credit - CK Correia all rights reserved Grafton Beach, Tobago