Thoughts on my birthday

I get these kind of thoughts emailed to me. They're called "Healthy Reflections".

The real measure of your contributions

What is accomplishment? Is it measured by the number of zeroes in your salary? By status or your level of fame? Or could success possibly come from the number of lives you touch? In today's world, where people are famous just for being famous, it's easy to get caught up in the quest for being noticed and appreciated. People and ideas can be trampled along the way if nobody looks out for them. If leaving a legacy is important to you, it should not come at the expense of your values. If you let it, you'll end up leaving a legacy you didn't want, and that kind of defeats the purpose doesn't it? The greatest and most noble acts are the ones that are done when we think no one is looking. When you stop expecting thanks or anything in return, your contribution is more welcome than ever. The irony is that the nicer you are, the more important you become.

I want so much to be appreciated and honored in my life. This thought was especially fitting as today is my birthday. I got some unwelcome news about my mom's health yesterday, and today as I ponder on her life, as well as my own, I'm overjoyed with a sense of peace in the direction my life is going and hope to continue in righteousness, relying more heavily on the Lord.

My mom dropped by last night and brought me a homemade strawberry cheesecake- my favorite. (She doesn't have hardly any energy and I'm sure it wasn't easy to make it for me.) She also gave me a card that said this:

You're such a dear daughter and wonderful mother, its no wonder you're loved so much. It takes a very talented and loving person to handle everything that you do. In your busy life, you're many things to lots of people, and to our family, you'll always be very special. You're a daughter to be proud of. Hope you know on your birthday how much you're loved and how much you're wished the very best of everything.

mom wrote: Always remember how special you are to me. You are about the same age I was when you were born! You are a wonderful daughter and I love you. Thank you for your support. I appreciate you.

dad wrote: Happy Birthday Sis. You are a sweet beautiful daughter. You will always be my first baby girl. My sweet "lil" Kimi Sue Pumpkin. Remember, you only pas this way once. Save a little time for yourself and your husband. love you bunches, Dad

... and yeah, I cried when I read this.

One more thought...

Don't just count your years, make your years count!