A very Foo Fighters Birthday

 I’m learning to walk again! Thank you, Dave Grohl..

Tomorrow I’ll be coming to the end of another path around the sun. As with most women of a certain age, I have a love-hate relationship with my birthday; somehow this one is just a little special. Last year was a significant milestone. I spent it as a newly laid off corporate casualty and owning a fabulous Eames Lounge Chair that I had custom made for the big occasion (note: I bought this chair before I learned of my pending unemployment. It was non-refundable). Sucks to be me. It was a bittersweet day culminated in a huge slice of Bahama Breeze’s fresh Key Lime Pie and a spectacular sunset over the Tampa Bay causeway. Acutally… it doesn’t suck to be me.. Happy Birthday, girl…

This year I’m so far removed from Florida, my bodacious chair and corporate America, celebrating with my beautiful daughter while I continue my nomad journey in Prague. You see, this year has been one of those amazing transition years that initially appeared to be a calamitous chute, when in fact it was a golden ladder in disguise… And how does Dave Grohl play into this?

I love this song.. Walk.. Foo Fighters.. seems to be perfectly anthemic and necessary to for anyone that is trying to get their footing again or maybe find it in the first place. It’s about discovery, courage and chutzpah. (I invite you to add it to your “SJGR” Playlist). I play this song non-stop. It motivates me. It inspires me. It makes me want to get up when I think I can’t anymore.  This year, I have been determined not to have me or my life defined by negativity, past events or people. I wanted this chapter of my life to start from a position of strength, not dread.  Perhaps I have gone to extraordinary lengths to clean out the bad juju, yet it seems to be my perfect remedy.  Learning to Walk again..

My new nomad life has stretched my creativity, knocked down my reservations and paved the way to a whole new sense of discovery. I’ve found it enlightening to be physically out of my normal environment, forced to navigate a new city, currency, language, measurement system (and btw- just why isn’t the US using the metric system?), transit system and literally maintain balance on cobblestone sidewalks. You need to think, not react. It can be daunting and unforgiving. There is also a huge sense of accomplishment when you can solo a subway, make change quickly and do currency conversions unassisted (thank you, Google.. I’ve got this one). It’s like I’m playing the “Amazing Race” against myself and some days you win, some days.. well, not so much, but still learning to walk again… You can’t run, if you can’t walk.

This year has taught me that I am still continually learning. I’m learning to have patience with myself. I’m learning to be less busy and more mindful. I’m learning to be attuned to my environment. I’m learning to love me for who I am now. Quite a bit for one year, don’t you think?

It’s my birthday. I’m walking upright and starting a whole new lap around the sun. I can’t wait to see what is in store.

Dave, take us out… Walk- Foo Fighters