Re-posted from Art For Ever Facebook page
Last night, on the eve of my birthday, I stood out on my deck. A storm front was rolling in and the air was cooler than the day’s had been, but still lovely to the skin. I focused for a good bit on that feeling of wind on my hair, face and arms. I let myself fall as deeply in love with that feeling as I have ever allowed myself to feel for anything. I asked myself if this moment was my last would this be enough? Was this moment all my life ever needed to be? Could I say it was the most satisfying life ever, if this was the pinnacle moment? I wept with how strong the yes came. For years, I have, like everyone else pondered what needs to be in my life to be happy. What needs to change or be different? What do I need to ‘do’ for my life’s mission to be attained. Honestly, it’s hard not to write, blah, blah, blah. We have it so backwards. It is never anything happening in our life or acquired or become. Those are all extensions of ourselves. Without self love there is nothing else. When you have self love you need nothing else. The simplest things become exquisite. Even now writing this that air still moves over my skin and I almost can’t contain the joy it gives me. I turn 52 today. I was born at 2:50pm and my mother used to say, to stretch out my birthday, that technically my birthday does not start till then and goes till the next day. I’d say it begins now and goes forever. What a lovely gift to give myself. Today, I give it to all of you. Happy Birthday to all of you. Today is the first day of your life. It is the best day. The only day. The most beautiful day. If you can focus on only one thing in your practice, make it self love. Love yourself with all the passion and power you have ever given anything in your whole life. Everything changes on that single decision. Absolutely everything.
Meditation Travelogue 
You’re a true poet, Noelle! Touched by your entry this morning. Happy birthday today and every day:)
Meditati
Thank you, my friend. I normally don’t cross pollinate, but did post it on Be Here Now, too. Felt like a good message to spread. Blessings to your day, your week, your beautiful life.
Happy Birthday to you! You add light to this world….!
Thank you, my friend. We all do in our own way. So glad to have met you all on in this blogosphere. Blessings to you.
Happy Birthday!
Blessings, my friend. May you and your site thrive for all to read this coming year.
Happy Birthday, Beautiful One!
Thanks so much, Liz. I’m going out with friends tonight so should be fun. Hope your packing is going well. Best, N
Wishing you a glorious birthday, Noelle!
Blessings to you, as well, my friend.
What a wonderful insight to share! Happy Birthday!!!
Well, as you know better than most, I come by this realization after traveling many, many roads! So glad you have always been one of my companions. That is its own birthday gift.
Happy happiest, Dragonfly. Here’s to more simple, exquisite things.
xo
Love that… dragonfly. Someone gave me a beautiful dragonfly card today. Yes, the second half of my life is definitely going to be less is more and what I do have I will enjoy with a great heart.
Happy Birthday, Noelle! Wishing you a beautiful fulfilling life! 🙂
Thank you. Another creative year to come.
🙂
Confitmation that you are a one off, such an amazing view of life. Love you lot’s Noelle.
Steve.
Thank you, my dear friend. One day we will share a nice pint in a good British pub.
Love you, too, my dear friend.
Congratz, Noelle!
Thank you, my friend….
Happy birthday, dear Noelle. Such a poetic expression of happiness and gratitude. Bless you, my young friend.
Young indeed! Every decade has grown better than the last. So glad to have your company.
Happy birthday!! My daughter is a February baby too 🙂 52 awesome…I’m 50 and do love the air around me too. Happy day to you!
My 50’s, Janice are proving to be my best decade yet. I send you the same blessing of love and abundance. and a Happy B to your daughter, too!
Your words and thought is beyond all others. Lovely. Wow.
Thank you, Catnip for coming by my place and leaving a note. May this be the year we all flourish, my friend.
❤️
Just beautiful, through and through, N. Happy bday! (Mine’s coming up, too. =) Glad we share in one another’s journey.) Your love (for us) overflows.
Diana
Thank you, my friend. Any chance you are an Aquarian, too? Just finished reading your wordpress vows. Very funny.
Yep, Aquarius. =)
Awesome! what day?
18th.
Happy Birthday to you!
Thank you, my friend.
“Happy Birthday to all of you. Today is the first day of your life.”
Love it!
I hope that your “long” birthday went great!…
Noelle , thanks fro sharing these deep words… These ones truly resonated in me: “I asked myself if this moment was my last would this be enough? Was this moment all my life ever needed to be? Could I say it was the most satisfying life ever, if this was the pinnacle moment? I wept with how strong the yes came.”~
All my best wishes! Aquileana 😀
Thank you, my friend. Appreciate the visit.
You have a beautiful way of putting your experience in to words. Wonderful post Noelle, and happy birthday to you. Have a joyful and celebrative day.
Mr hank you, my friend. I was so glad to see your recent post that indicated you’d been vacationing. I’d noticed I hadn’t seen a post of yours in awhile and wondered where you’d gotten off to. So delighted you are back. Your pieces always make me think.
Happy Belated Birthday 🎂, beautiful, heart-warming post.
Thank you, so much for the well wishes, my friend. It has been a lovely week. Thank you for your support and taking the time to come by and comment.
I’m tardy to the party but happy belated birthday Noelle!
Thank you, my friend. You just extended my birthday a bit longer…..