On My 32nd Birthday Purpose, Gratitude, Happiness, Sparks

On My 32nd Birthday Purpose, Gratitude, Happiness, Sparks Me at my GraduLaunch Party in June, celebrating my new Spark. Today is my 32nd birthday. I joke that Im an old lady, but honestly, I dont feel it. Yeah, I see the lone gray hair appear when its too long between colorings (theres a bright one now in my bangs!), there was a point in my life that I was always (proudly!) The Youngest (usually when I was doing shows), but honestly, really, deeply, truly: I love being 32. I know it, even though its just been the case for a few hours. Nicole J. Butler a working actress who I havent met in person, but whose blog is very vulnerable, truthful, strong, wise posted about whether your world is getting smaller in a bad way, described the flame that seems to flicker with each passing year until most people settle for Getting Along. The friends she writes about have allowed their flame to go out, along with the perspective that The World Is Their Oyster Anything is Possible. Ive seen this happen. Ive smelled it, tasted it, breathed it, too. But I have to say, I havent lived it. OK, let me stand a bit corrected: I didnt allow myself to live it. That place I was in back in 2006, where I wasnt going on auditions had a good-paying, benefit-wielding, 401K-giving job, was there for me to grab on to not let go. Only for the fact that it was unacceptable for me to allow my flame to go out did I not settle comfortably into Grown-Updom. That was not my lot in life. And while I did allow my Theater Spark to burn on Low (instead of the Hi that it was on for about 20 years), I had absolutely no idea that there was another Spark waiting. Even so, I went to look. As we all know, my Spark was life coaching. Specifically, life coaching creative people who are at a crossroads between their passion their grown-up careers. And while I can safely say that I found a new Spark (along with the Spark that my husband gives me, but thats private!), I think that Im going to keep finding new Sparks within that Spark. From coaching, I rediscovered my love of writing, which I never really did after college (except for the sporadic journal entry) until I had an excuse to start this blog. From coaching, I also put to use my Spark of building relationships with others (as I put on my last job review, If Im not a relationship builder, I dont know what I am), being on camera (I love filming my vlogs!), performing in front of a room (group coaching is a total natural high for me, I cant wait to see how I fare out with teleseminars workshops!) being my own boss. So, here I sit, thirty-two years old, feeling secure that all the days of my life have lead to here, to this Spark to many Sparks to come. In keeping with the theme of the week, Im proud that I rose above those challenges didnt sink into the safe comfort of being Old, being Good Enough or letting it be OK To Just Get By. Im here with my lessons learned absorbed behind me, growing every day feeling like my uniquity is my best asset. And if youre proud excited by who you are, look for your new Sparks when you think there are none left,   allow the ones that are inside you to   flame in a way that aligns with your values, then age is nothing but a number. Im 32, and Im full of Purpose, Gratitude, Happiness, Sparks.