It’s My Birthday!

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

Hello friends! And yes…today is my birthday!!

Covid birthdays…am I right?

I saw this meme the other day, and it said…“I’m not adding this year to my age, I didn’t use it!”

Which…I’m not going to lie…I was like, fist pumping, and all…”that’s right, girl! You tell ’em!” — all the while, mentally adopting that mindset.

But the more I think about it…nah. That’s actually not what I’m going to do.

Sure, getting older, as a young woman, is never fun. There are pressures that come with age, be it career wise, where-you-are-in-life wise, marriage/family wise. Pressures that…log onto social media for 15 seconds, and you’ll instantly be bombarded with…where everyone else my age “is” on the timeline of “societally dictated benchmarks.”

But I’ve adopted a new mindset that has been incredibly freeing, and truly has given me so much joy and peace.

And that is the truth that getting older is a privilege that isn’t afforded to everyone.

I have been around the sun enough times to realize, and also experience first (or second) hand….that life is incredibly fragile, and we are not promised tomorrow.

I think, given this whole Covid situation, we all have come to a new appreciation of that, recently.

But this aspect of “not using” the precious, precious time we’ve been given? That’s just not going to fly in my book.

This life — every moment…whether we’re quarantined, whether we’re scraping to get by, whether we’re vacationing, whether we’re just trucking along… every single moment is a blessing, and one never to take for granted.

Sure, quarantine has been different, but it has honestly been an incredibly special time. Yes, I miss my parents and family every single gosh darn day, and would give my left leg to be able to fly home and visit them….but this time has really allowed me to grow friendships and relationships that matter.

Quarantine and social distancing has really allowed the “cream to rise to the top,” if that makes any sense whatsoever. It’s really pulled into crystal-clear focus the relationships that I want to cultivate, even when it’s inconvenient, or a little bit risky health-wise, or willing to risk getting caught in the rain at the park for.

And as a result, I’ve really grown super close with “my people.” Because not only have they become a priority in my life, but we survived a pandemic together. And that means something.

So…all that to say…I’m really grateful to have the immense privilege and blessing to have another year under my belt. And even though my pride may not want to admit I’m getting “older”…the fact of the matter is that, I have so much to be grateful for…and life is certainly one of them.

So — I hope you have a wonderful evening. I’m going to go meet up with “my people” right now, and have a little socially distanced, SMALL, outdoor get together, and celebrate, COVID-style!

“This is what the Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ez 37:5

TAKE ME TO THE B³ STORE!

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beautybeyondbones

BBB: Because we're all recovering from something. // For speaking/business inquiries: beautybeyondbones@yahoo.com

433 thoughts on “It’s My Birthday!”

  2. I couldn’t agree more my dear!! I also love getting older, wiser I feel. It is a privilege and I’ve used this time wisely to cultivate a deeper relationship with myself and God. May every wish come true on your special day and more dear Carolyn. So much love always 🙏🎉❤

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    1. thank you so much! you’re absolutely right – it is a privilege! i appreciate your kind words! Hugs and love xox

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    1. thank you so much Eric! yes! oh my gosh i’ve never thought of it that way, but wow that’s a beautiful thought! Hugs and love xox

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  9. Dear Caralyn
    Happy birthday!
    Didn’t use this year? I beg to differ! Your blog has witnessed to Jesus throughout. Thank you for your steadfast faith.
    Love
    Penny xx

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    1. thank you so much Penny! oh my gosh what a kind thing to say!!! that really means a lot 🙂 big hugs to you xox

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  17. Wishing you a very Happy, memorable, victorious Birthday.
    Life is precious and we must not take it for granted indeed. We must be grateful and make the most of it.
    So maximise the moment and enjoy the day to the full.

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  19. Happy Birthday Caralyn! 🎉🎶🎈💞
    I love this post! “Growing older is not a privilege afforded to all.”
    That’s a truly appreciative way to look at getting older and the value of each day we’re given.
    I hope you have a very happy celebration! 💖

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  32. Happy Belated Birthday Queen. I knew our birthdays were close but I forgot the day. My milestone birthday is on the 11th. I had a subdued celebration last year knowing this year would be epic. God and I redesigned my celebration. This was an excellent post. God has also changed my mindset about COVID-19 and celebrating despite the pandemic. Everything is not ideal but sometimes you have to pull back the curtain and thank God for the things we can take for granted like food, shelter, a job, health, being a Christian, our five senses and so much more. God has called us for such a time to encourage and equip the masses. I thank God for your platform which has not only encouraged me but has allowed me to go deeper in my faith. I am so glad you said yes to God more than once. May he continue to honor your obedience. We have a whole 24 days left, we must celebrate all month. Happy August to you!

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    1. aw thank you so much Ada! this is such a beautiful note! and happy early birthday to you! you’re so right – we have so much to be grateful for! and you as well! happy birthday month! 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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  36. Birthdays are moments where we are allowed to look back, look forward, and most of all enjoy the moment that God has placed us in. I have only read you blog for a few months now and I want you to know how much I have learned from you. Getting older never means we stop learning and growing. It also brings me much joy to see just how much I learn from those who are younger. Keep your mind and heart focused on God and He will grow and teach you, so that every birthday will be another step to loving Him and His creation, all ages, colors, and influences.

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    1. thank you so much S! you’re so right about that – God has gifted us with these moments – it’s our job to live them to the full and appreciate them! big hugs to you xox

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  37. Happy Birthday! You don’t have to add to your physical age, but do add the wisdom you’ve gained to your spiritual age and wear it as a badge of honor because WISDOM is a virtue!

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  43. You are so right…life is fragile. Theoretically we know this, but until we’ve felt the presence of death unexpected, passing by us, or through us, we don’t understand. And then, incredibly, how quickly we forget our brush with it even though we swear we never will. We are created to live. Thank goodness, through Christ, we can. Happy birthday!

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  49. Oh wow, sorry I’m late, but HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY! Last month was my turn at being on a planet that made the revolution around the sun…waaay too many times, I might add. 😉

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