No paint techniques or recipes will be taught today,
just the introspective thoughts of a woman reaching a milestone in her life.
Today I’m 40.
That number looks so foreign to me.
I knew this day was coming and I’ve dreaded it for a year.
WHY THE FEAR?
Will I turn into the crypt keeper at the strike of midnight?
Of course not.
What will I do?
em·brace: –verb. To take or receive gladly or eagerly; willingly accept
Sounds like a plan.
Women who are 40 know who they are, know what they believe, and know what they want.
We won’t settle for mediocrity, but don’t expect perfection.
We are loyal to our friends and realize the value they hold in our lives.
We are more patient then our younger counterparts (for the most part).
We have developed more compassion for others because,
through experience, we know the pain of judgment.
We are honest to a fault and will speak our mind, putting you in your place if you diss us,
but we’ll be the first to compliment and shower you with praise and affection.
We will complain about our wrinkles (so just get used to it).
We dance like fools in the kitchen and laugh with our children.
We wear our stilettos to the grocery store and don’t care what you think about it.
We take on more leadership roles and mentor younger women.
We rediscover and utilize the talents and gifts God gave us.
We know how to love passionately.
We look forward to what life will bring us,
who we will meet,
what adventures we’ll take,
and what we’ll accomplish.
So how do I feel about 40?
Bring it!
I’m embracing it!
Kim
Happy Birthday to you!! You look fabulous! 40 is just a number…have a GREAT day!!
xx-Kristyn
A very happy birthday to you! As I am also turning 40 this year, I know exactly how you feel about it. It’s going to be great 🙂
You are a good looking 40! I relate to what you are saying. This year my milestone will be the big 6-0. God has blessed me. He blesses you as well. Happy Birthday!
~Pat~
Happy Birthday! I am also turning 40 this year. I found your blog last week and have loved reading past posts. Congrats and have a great day!!!
Heather N
Kim,
Happy Birthday! I loved my 40’s…and
I love your great words of wisdom today…hmmmm…WISDOM!…that what you find and share at 40 and beyond. It’s your gift to yourself and all around you!
Sending hugs and blessings on this special day!
*Lynne*
Very well said! You are beautiful inside and out!! 🙂
Julie W
I turned 40 this year – April – so about 8 months ago. It has been the BEST year!!! Embrace and inspire! That’s the best way to look at a new chapter. Forty is fabulous. You’re over your insecure and self-centered 20s, you’re past your over-worried 30s and you’re into your 40s that have figured out your priorities and can appreciate the littlest things as they really are, the best things! Enjoy and may you reap many blessing. 🙂
Hi, Kim, you look fabulous girl, nothing to worry about. Embrace those 40’s, they will fly by. Happy Happy Birthday, can’t wait to meet you in person.
Happy Birthday!! You wear 40 very well – you’re gorgeous! I am loving your blog, by the way. 🙂
Happy Birthday,such a great way to enter a new decade!
You look amazing for 40! (and I know all about the creeping anxiety feeling about turning 40…. I’m turning 37 in a month…40 is coming up quick)
happy Birthday!
happy birthday! your words & attitude are inspirational to a girl dreading 30… i realize i should just embrace whatever age i am & get over it! and you’re a great writer 🙂
Happy Birthday, you go girl! I turned 40 last June…wrote about it on my blog….Embracing it is all you can do, because, guess what? Here it is!
Have a great day!
proof-of-love.blogspot.com
Good for you! 40 was great for me and each year since (43 next summer) has been better than the last.
Happy birthday!
I’ll be 50 in March -and very happy!!!!
Enjoy!
Happy Birthday, Kim! Your insight is so true. Have a blessed day.
Kim,
Embrace it. That is what I am doing. I turned 44 in December AND I am a grandmother to three!
p.s. Kepp up the good work! I love your blog!
Denise
http://www.extremepersonalmeasures.com/
Happy Birthday!
I will be 40 on the 30th of this month. I talked about it on my blog today, too. I’m not so much dreading it as just wondering where the time went!
Your words are very inspiring; I’ll try to put them into practice. Thanks!
Happy Birthday sis! Love you! Have a wonderful day!!! (And you totally rock those stilettos.)
Happy 40th Birthday!! I’m sure you will ease into the 40’s with great grace, especially with such a great attitude. With each birthday that comes (46 is next in March) I try to remember my girls are watching me and they see how I respond to the passing years.
Enjoy your special day :o)
Angex
Have a wonderful birthday!
Happy birthday, Kim. You look fabulous! You are still young my dear. I dreaded the big 4-0, too and then just wait till the big 5-0 comes and then each year after that! Hope you had a great day.
Happy Birthday Kim,
Forty is the “new thirty” and you look like you could easily pass for thirty…The most important thing about reaching any new decade is ATTITUDE and you’ve got the right one!
Despite all the lies and fears I was also infected with, I turned up to believe that 40 is a wonderful wonderful age for most women. I felt so great on my 40th birthday (12 years ago) when I looked in the mirror and I saw that I still looked gOOOOd.
I can multiply that for you. Trust me you look gorgeous and very very interesting.
Belatedly my wishes for many happy returns.
Hi Kim. Found you via your link on The Nester.
Loved this post! So much truth.
I just turned forty-six. You can see “age from my vantage point”… http://thelazydazy.wordpress.com/2010/12/22/age-from-my-vantage-point/
I am loving my forties!
Have fun at Blissdom!
Sorry. Guess that link above won’t work in a comment.
“Age…From My Vantage Point” is a short post I wrote on my 46th birthday, last month. It’s on the front page of my blog, a few posts down.
Maybe you can find it.
Happy belated birthday.
Carrie