gifts.

Did you know it's your birthday?
No, really-I'm not joking.

You don't need presents, chocolates, jewelry, and stacks of cards you'll throw away. You need people, connections, air, water...and those are things that show up as gifts to you each morning.

Give yourself more than one day a year to be happy.

Stop waiting for the candles on your cake to light your way, instead, be the spark creating a glow in others.

Happy birthday to you. Because that's exactly what it is...the birth of a new day.

Leave the grudges, regrets, and faded wrapping paper behind.

There is no gift that can compare to living in the present. And by living, I mean truly living. Not just existing.

It's your big day.

Now, make a wish...and turn it into reality.

rain.

You sit in the downpour, allowing the drops to dampen your spirit.

But, why? When the rain comes, do something.

Grab your umbrella of change, create a safe place for yourself.

If life wants to soak you to the bone, you have to allow it to do so...you are resourceful enough to find shelter, so stop standing there.

Dry yourself off, and start fresh.

The drops are encouraging you to grow, not asking you to drown in martyrdom.

Learn from the storm, instead of cursing it. If you move quickly enough, you'll see the rainbow in the distance.

<3

seek.

What happens when we plant our gardens, and tulips spring up where we think the roses should be? More often than not, complaints flourish, about the flowers we didn't expect, instead of seeing the new blooms as a compliment to the surrounding stems.

We say our jobs make us wary, our family and friends exhaust us because they aren't doing what we want them to. What we expect them to do.

Stop expecting. Start creating. Manifest your own fate. If you leave it up to someone else you are a bud without water, in the middle of the desert waiting for rescue. Instead, seek out the spring, control your surroundings, and bring happiness into your life.

Once you nourish yourself, and colorful petals start to show, the weeds of the world will have no power. Don't you see? You have the means to create a garden of good. Stop sulking in the scorching sun. Get up, and plant yourself in a sanctuary of action and love.

hero.

You roar through life, shielding everyone from the evil monsters nipping at their heels. Pulling them out of harms way and wrapping them in your armor clad embrace. A hero for the hurting in a time when few care about anyone but themselves.

But, after battle...when the armor lies at your feet and you clean your wounds, your eyes shift down.

You look tired. Weary. As if you are about to give up. Everyone has cleared away, shown their gratitude, moved on. Or so you think. I know the battlefield feels empty, silent, lonely. But, it's just the stars whispering to the universe to give you rest, allow time to heal...time to remember who you are, beneath the tough shield. A kind, giving, intelligent, amazing person.

But, we are here. Marching. In the distance. We never left you...we only went for reinforcements. Now is the time to step up and take back what is yours. Love, inspiration, and life. The things you've given us, again and again.

The toughest battle is in the books, over. Don't stop now. It's nearly dawn, the sun will be here soon. You may be wounded, but you're still our champion. Allow us to carry you a few steps to your horse, so you can lead us once again, and teach us the ways of kindness, beauty and strength.

This is it. Your moment. Come back to us- ready yourself again for combat, but please fight for the one person you've been overlooking.

Yourself.

Because without you, we are simply a band of misfits and outcasts, living in chaos and despair...but at your hand, we are an army of soldiers with kind hearts and quick minds...standing behind a hero who can't be matched, and taught us everything we know.

One day we will tell the story of your legacy. How you slayed evil and changed our lives. But, we'd much rather have you here to tell it yourself.

<3

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