And so the introspection of life in the country and life after a Birthday continues. I was rather amazed (I don’t know why I was amazed and I would tend to agree with Nora Ephron that there are many things that shock people over and over which are really not that shocking at all if you simply think about them…), but I was surprised by how, when it’s your birthday, after a certain age, you simply become a bystander to the festivities. I mean, nobody really even asks what you want to do, you’re simply moved like a piece of furniture, here or there, for their pleasure.

Yet, I give people the benefit of the doubt, if there’s even any benefit to doubting at all, and figure that they’re only trying to do something nice for the birthday person, without having to go to all of the bother of actually asking what they might want to do or eat, or how they might want to celebrate, or what kind of gift might make them happy. I guess it all works out in the final analysis, because the older one gets, you just kind of shrug your shoulders and let everyone do what they want.

Which could be a dangerous move. One day you wake up and you’re in middle age or later and you just might explode. You’ve let things slip, or build up, for so long, that maybe you reach your breaking point and just decide to do something crazy.

It happens when you’re being marginalized.

Which brings us to today’s mottoes, yes, I’ve gone ahead and helped myself to two servings today, thank you very much, almost like a double dip scoop of ice cream because they’re both great and why should I have to decide? Here they are:

“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” ~E.E. Cummings

“The most Courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” ~Coco Chanel

Those say it well. Short and to the point: be courageous.

With caution.

Courageous acts can often be mistaken for stupid acts, but they’re really not the same at all. Lord, give us the wisdom to know the difference! And then be courageous, think for yourself, and become who you really are.

Happy Monday, everyone!

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