Happy Birthday! My son will be 37 this year... middle aged, eh? 🤔 I think I’m gonna take a pace out of your newsletter and do a ten things he is best at and write it up for him. Perhaps next year he can learn to be a little kinder to himself, with each year kinder still as he ages. Life is tough enough, ain’t it?
I like writing letters and keep a supply of stamps and cards as well. I write notes on a whim, a lot of the times to friends I haven’t seen for a while (covid) and some I probably write too often but probably not as much as I’d like... there’s a line... I think. Anyway, you are always welcome to be on my list of letters and cards 🤗
Again, happy birthday! I hope there’s cake and a good story for the newsletter!
Happy early birthday! I should have known that you were a fellow Taurus :) I'm on the cusp of turning 34 and may take the time to write something similar. For what it's worth, I have always been so impressed with your intentionality and presence.
Thanks, Katie! I’m going to start a running list of the things we have in common. All I’m saying is, don’t be surprised when I also move to St. Croix 😎
With the time difference and me opening this newsletter late, I'm not sure if I've missed your birthday or not. In any case, happy birthday Katie! 😊 Another thoughtful piece and I've loved reading this. It makes me want to write a list of 10 things I like about myself as well, though I'm realising now I'd have far fewer qualms about it than you do. The idea doesn't make me cringe at all. Rather it makes me puff up with pride. My only concern is how to frame it in such a way that my readers get something from it as well! I'm not sure what takeaway to take from that... 😂
You are right on time. Thank you, Val! And I love that you could write 10 things without as many hesitations. That's aspirational for me! I'd love to read your list.
Yay! Hope you're having a fantastic birthday. :) I'll be doing the list in a future newsletter I think. And I wonder if there's also a place for a sister post, "10 things I want to change about me", or if that will be too negative. Something I've got to mull on. Maybe it's all in the angle and how it's presented.
Happy birthday, Katie! I love your list — and those stamps, which I recently bought, too. Did you know the USPS also sells an embossed notecard set with that artwork — AND stamps to go with it? (I would never have known if not for making a rare online stamp order.) Could be a good birthday gift to yourself to keep the thoughtfulness meaningful in the year ahead! Celebrate yourself!
I just love this. We should all be able to do this without apology! One I find particularly interesting is "I'm trustworthy" because I have worked with this idea for a decade. I always think of Oriah Mountain Dreamer's poem, "The Invitation", and this section:
In the spirit - 10 things I like about me: 1) I strive to be kind to others and keep learning what is truly kind and what isn't (it's tricky isn't it?). 2) I am learning to be trustworthy to myself. 3) I am brave, usually in very unseen ways. 4) I've done the hard things when I had to. 5) I try. Really hard. I really really try. 6) I am the kind of person I want to be friends with, that I want as a co-worker, and that I want as a family member. 7) I own my mistakes and admit what I don't know (which is most everything - and I wasn't always like this!) 8) Every year I like me more, which means I'm growing in the ways that are important to my values. 9) I love my people fiercely. 10) I'm a great auntie and my nieces and nephews know without a doubt they are loved for who they are and not just for what they do or achieve.
Happy birthday to you, Katie! I loved this issue, especially number four as a fellow crier at earnest displays of joy. And I know I need to take some time to come up with my own list, after cringing at the suggestion that we share our own (even though I LOVE reading these type of lists by others)!
Happy Birthday!! Wow what a great idea to celebrate another year! I loved reading your list! I’m going to try and make my own list but man my first reaction in even thinking about this for myself is definitely one of horror (that’s a bit dramatic but you get the idea). Thanks for being you and for being an awesome neighbor and bookish friend! I am so happy to know you; you are definitely a person who leaves others better from having met you! I hope you have a great birthday!
Happy birthday 🎂 also, good for you for writing about what is hard yet should be easy. Growth and self esteem are so important on our life journey and you're doing it! Xoxo.❤️
I love most of your choices; I'm indifferent to those I don't love, but I especially admire your courage in going public with this. It seems your brain isn't all that dumb after all.
Happy Birthday! My son will be 37 this year... middle aged, eh? 🤔 I think I’m gonna take a pace out of your newsletter and do a ten things he is best at and write it up for him. Perhaps next year he can learn to be a little kinder to himself, with each year kinder still as he ages. Life is tough enough, ain’t it?
I like writing letters and keep a supply of stamps and cards as well. I write notes on a whim, a lot of the times to friends I haven’t seen for a while (covid) and some I probably write too often but probably not as much as I’d like... there’s a line... I think. Anyway, you are always welcome to be on my list of letters and cards 🤗
Again, happy birthday! I hope there’s cake and a good story for the newsletter!
Gerard, I love that idea of writing a list for your son! That seriously made my day!
Happy early birthday! I should have known that you were a fellow Taurus :) I'm on the cusp of turning 34 and may take the time to write something similar. For what it's worth, I have always been so impressed with your intentionality and presence.
Thanks, Katie! I’m going to start a running list of the things we have in common. All I’m saying is, don’t be surprised when I also move to St. Croix 😎
I love this idea! The details make you even more lovable. I really resonate with being good with one on one and thoughtfulness as a fellow introvert
Thanks, Minh! It’s always lovely to meet a fellow introvert ❤️
With the time difference and me opening this newsletter late, I'm not sure if I've missed your birthday or not. In any case, happy birthday Katie! 😊 Another thoughtful piece and I've loved reading this. It makes me want to write a list of 10 things I like about myself as well, though I'm realising now I'd have far fewer qualms about it than you do. The idea doesn't make me cringe at all. Rather it makes me puff up with pride. My only concern is how to frame it in such a way that my readers get something from it as well! I'm not sure what takeaway to take from that... 😂
You are right on time. Thank you, Val! And I love that you could write 10 things without as many hesitations. That's aspirational for me! I'd love to read your list.
Yay! Hope you're having a fantastic birthday. :) I'll be doing the list in a future newsletter I think. And I wonder if there's also a place for a sister post, "10 things I want to change about me", or if that will be too negative. Something I've got to mull on. Maybe it's all in the angle and how it's presented.
Happy birthday, Katie! I love your list — and those stamps, which I recently bought, too. Did you know the USPS also sells an embossed notecard set with that artwork — AND stamps to go with it? (I would never have known if not for making a rare online stamp order.) Could be a good birthday gift to yourself to keep the thoughtfulness meaningful in the year ahead! Celebrate yourself!
Ooh, thanks for the hot tip! xo
I just love this. We should all be able to do this without apology! One I find particularly interesting is "I'm trustworthy" because I have worked with this idea for a decade. I always think of Oriah Mountain Dreamer's poem, "The Invitation", and this section:
"It doesn’t interest me
if the story you are telling me
is true.
I want to know if you can
disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear
the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy."
Oh wow, you just blew my mind with that approach to trustworthiness. I’m going to have to sit with that for a while! 🤯
In the spirit - 10 things I like about me: 1) I strive to be kind to others and keep learning what is truly kind and what isn't (it's tricky isn't it?). 2) I am learning to be trustworthy to myself. 3) I am brave, usually in very unseen ways. 4) I've done the hard things when I had to. 5) I try. Really hard. I really really try. 6) I am the kind of person I want to be friends with, that I want as a co-worker, and that I want as a family member. 7) I own my mistakes and admit what I don't know (which is most everything - and I wasn't always like this!) 8) Every year I like me more, which means I'm growing in the ways that are important to my values. 9) I love my people fiercely. 10) I'm a great auntie and my nieces and nephews know without a doubt they are loved for who they are and not just for what they do or achieve.
I love this. I especially love #3 and #8, but the whole list is fantastic!
And definitely - happy birthday!!
Happy birthday to you, Katie! I loved this issue, especially number four as a fellow crier at earnest displays of joy. And I know I need to take some time to come up with my own list, after cringing at the suggestion that we share our own (even though I LOVE reading these type of lists by others)!
Thanks, Chanda! Glad I’m not alone with those earnest tears 💕
Happiest of birthdays!!!
Thank you, Mo!
Happy Birthday!! Wow what a great idea to celebrate another year! I loved reading your list! I’m going to try and make my own list but man my first reaction in even thinking about this for myself is definitely one of horror (that’s a bit dramatic but you get the idea). Thanks for being you and for being an awesome neighbor and bookish friend! I am so happy to know you; you are definitely a person who leaves others better from having met you! I hope you have a great birthday!
I’m so happy to know you too! (And I love the thought of you writing your own list.) Thanks, Amy!
Happy birthday 🎂 also, good for you for writing about what is hard yet should be easy. Growth and self esteem are so important on our life journey and you're doing it! Xoxo.❤️
Thanks, Laura! You’re the best ❤️
I love most of your choices; I'm indifferent to those I don't love, but I especially admire your courage in going public with this. It seems your brain isn't all that dumb after all.
Thanks, Justin! That means a lot.
Thanks, Maggie!