It’s your birthday today.  You’ve got a full day ahead – don’t beat yourself up about that (just take a moment to book time off on your birthday next year).

Busy or not busy, take time today to notice what you did in the last year that you would never have dreamt of doing a few years ago.  Notice the courage you’ve shown in your learning as well as the things you’ve learnt.

Stop making comparisons.  You know they only get you down or – worse still – put someone else down (even if only in your mind).  And when you do make comparisons – with your distant ideal or some younger (slimmer, fitter, faster, something-or-other-er) or older (wiser, more gracious, richer, more successful…) self, hold yourself with compassion for where you are now.

Take time to notice what’s working in your life, including (especially) the tiniest of things.  In case you need reminding, the joy is not in the lottery win or the next big contract, it’s right there in your dining room in the seed trays by the window.

Enjoy those Christmas-and-birthdays-only illicit pleasures (you know what they are) AND notice whether they do still give you joy.  Let go of the ones that don’t.

Finish your client report on time, but not at the expense of receiving – yes, really receiving – the love and best wishes of friends, family and colleagues.  Let the day be spacious and joyful as well as busy and productive.

It’s OK to be where you are – whatever you feel today, let your feelings be welcome and hold them with care.  Everything is welcome.

If you’re reading this, you’re still alive.  Everything you experience today is only possible because you are alive. (And yes, it’s OK that you may never truly realise just what a gift this is).  Being alive, being yourself – oh!  and drinking your birthday cup of coffee – who could ask for more?