Dear 40….

By Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S

Dear 40,
I’ve always known I’d meet you – I even knew exactly when. I’ve been looking forward to it since I was 20, half my life ago. I don’t know why – not fully – but I’ve always wondered about you. What you’d be like. How you’d make me feel.

Now here I am and it’s glorious. The journey has been filled with everything – a tapestry of emotions and occasions. Heartache, triumph, adventure, defeat, and so much beauty.

I’ve rocked children, I’ve loved deeply, I’ve built businesses, I’ve made amazing friends, and I’ve seen extraordinary parts of this planet. I get to be a mom, to teach, and do what I love every single day.

Of course, I’ve suffered, too. Time and time again, I’ve had to find a way to pull myself up and out of my own hell. I’ve lost loved ones, I’ve had my heart broken, I’ve been rejected, I’ve cried my eyes out, I’ve experienced defeat. And I wouldn’t change any of it. I wouldn’t change a moment, because every breath, every heartbeat, every second, every interaction brought me to right now. It brought me to you.

And, somewhere along this journey, I discovered myself. I discovered that I’m strong and capable. I discovered that I’m never alone and that I’m held by something so much greater than me.

I discovered the importance of authenticity. Whether in the playroom or the living room or in the front row of a rock concert, I’ve learned to be true, to be real, to be open and honest. I’ve learned the power in being vulnerable.

It has taken me 40 years to look in the mirror and be able to say that I really really like myself. I like who I have become and I like my heart. It’s a big heart and it has taken every person and event on my journey to help me develop it. And I’m so very grateful.

My birthday wish is another 40 years filled with whatever it takes to help me grow and learn and open my heart even more. 40 more years of heartache, triumph, adventure, defeat, and so much beauty.

This is it, 40: at last we meet. I can’t wait to see what you have in store.

Interested in credits and courses delivered to your living room? Take a look at all our classes, available on our learning site.