I woke up today, the same as every other day...It's always a good day when I wake up. It started like any other; A cuddle and kiss with my wife and a couple of hungry cats prodding, poking and purring for some breakfast.
Today is a little different though...Today I turned 50 years old. I've been calling it 40 + 10 though...Sounds better; Not much better, but a little.
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I'm not a huge fan of celebrating my birthday but not because the age aspect; I'm a realist and accept the fact I will get older - It will happen to you too, trust me on that.
No, it's because I don't much-enjoy being the centre of attention, I accept gifts awkwardly and hate that happy birthday song with a passion! I also don't really see the point in people feeling obligated to celebrate the day on which I emerged from my mother's womb back in 1970. It doesn't seem interesting enough to solicit a celebratory reaction from others.
It's my birthday though, irrespective of whether I want others to acknowledge and celebrate it or not.
My wife got me a card and wrote some nice things in it and I've received a couple others, some texts and messages also. So far its been fairly low-impact as I don't advertise the fact it's my birthday. We're going to an Indian restaurant for dinner tonight but otherwise it's a typical day.
This morning I took a moment to look back on the last 50 years of life and to think about my achievements, successes and failures. I asked myself what sort of life I have lead, what it looked like and whether I thought it was a good one; Have I rolled it out the best I can, been the best version of myself and created a life I can be proud of. Has it been free from major regrets?
I think the answer is yes.
I have hurt people in my life, myself included. I have done some very bad things that plague me daily, actions and events that have marked me indelibly, and deeply...I've had some monumental failures too. But I still look back on life and feel it hasn't been an overall failure. The contrary in fact.
I've learned a lot in the last 50 years and each failure has prepared me a little better to move forward with more confidence, to be a better version of myself and placed me in a position to better design and create my ideal life.
I'm far from perfect, I know that, and my life has been about as imperfect as life could be, but it is mine and I own it and take responsibility for the past and future. That's what 50 years of life has taught me...When it's all pared down to the core.
The most defining part of my life? The element that has helped shape it, and me? My wife Faith.
We met when I was 17 and I feel that she is the single biggest influence in my life...The reason I am the man I am today. I'm not afraid of death, never have been...But I fear life without her, and cherish every moment we have had together. I'm ok turning 40 + 10 50...As long as she's with me. And she is. 😏
Tomorrow isn't promised - Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default
An original post written by a human
Discord: galenkp#9209 🇦🇺
Note: It is also my brothers birthday today...We were born on the same day, but 9 years apart. Sort of like twins, but not. Cool huh? Unfortunately we are at opposite ends of the planet so can't get together today, but like all good twins we have a connection that operates outside of physical proximity. Something like that anyway.
Don't say happy birthday, send Lego! 😂
Happy birthday, Mr President.
Bwahaha...For a second I thought it might be you dressed up like Marilyn Monroe...Unfortunately not. 🤣
Thanks mate...50 years old...Gotta be mature now...Yeah right, as if that's happening!
Dude, Faith just gave me my birthday gift...Blew me away. I told her I didn't want anything..She didn't listen, as always. I'll post about it. So keen for to happen. I'm excited!
Hello @galenkp, hope you had a wonderful day (not birthday). I always embrace birthdays, proud that I made it this far...hehe
Thanks, FM! I'm actually surprised I made it this far...There were many incidents as a kid which I was fortunate to have survived...Boys will be boys.
Nah, it's all good...I'm still rockin' it!.
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Happy 70th lego day, Harold.
Haha! What ya say? I haven't got my hearing aid on sonny...
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I photographed a 50th not too long ago where they had a 50km/h sign that everyone ... signed.
Congratulations on making another orbit around the sun without murdering everyone on the same planet as yourself. That's the real feat here.
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Haha, I have no clue how I've managed not to kill someone this year! Miracles do happen! Lol.
Happy Birthday
Have a good and enjoyable life
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Thanks...I'm almost at the end of it but will make the most of what I have left. :)
Hoping you have a great day for your 50 years young Birthday 😁
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I've been at work all day...But I'm heading home now...(3:30pm) Shh, don't tell anyone. Lol.
Hasn't been a bad day though, at least I woke up!
@galenkp, Happy birthday. Wishing you healthy, wealthy, blessed and abundant life ahead. Stay blessed always.
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Thank you sir. I'll be happy just to have some life ahead...If it's blessed then I'll be overjoyed. 😬
Welcome and my good wishes are with you. Enjoy your time ahead. 🙂
Happy birthday 🎉
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Thanks mate, I'm only a spring chicken at 50 huh? I'll see if I can make 100!
I crossed the 50 mark 2 years ago. So far it looks like 100 is a piece of cake 😂
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Haha, well I think the only problem for me living until I'm 100 will be that I can't afford it...And I'd be a grumpy bugger too I reckon. Lol.
Don't worry, when that times come Steem is all time high 🚀😂
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Ah yes, steem to the rescue. I have my fingers crossed.
Happy birthday to this man of integrity. I wish you long life and prosperity and every good things your heart desire.
Thank you, appreciate your kind words.
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Happy birthday man. Twins born 9 years apart. Let's celebrate a bit when you guys are here in the summer :)
Good plan...As long as you fuckers don't get me drunk like at my 30th. I'm not sure my old ticker could cope with it. 🤣
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lols, I didn't see the comment!
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Happy birthday and take care!
Thank you for your well wishes. 😊
Happy birthday mate - always interesting to look back and think. Plenty of good times from your posts.
In terms of bad times, I reckon the best we can do as humans when we screw up is review, don't beat ourselves too much, forge forward and honor those we have hurt, by doing everything we can to make up for it, but mostly improve ourselves and not do it again. Sometimes we can't make up and must just live with stuff.
I am left to contemplate my life with some of your words in this post ...re: Design and create your ideal life....
typically we aren't handed an ideal canvas to paint our life, right now part of my canvas is something I scabbed out a bin and the paint ain't sticking real good. hmmn.. maybe its time to throw it out haha.
Nothing wrong with bin-scabbed canvas mate, it's what you do with it that matters, that you attempt to do something with it. 🙂
Thanks for the nice words mate...50 doesn't feel so bad after all.
50 is young, so they tell me as I creep closer as well :)
That's the way mate, be a sponge, soak it all up! Giving up is overrated.
#neverquit
Happy birthday, whether you want to hear it or not! :)
I had a friend who used to say he was 29 and some months. He was still saying that at 51.
Haha, yep my dad used to say he was younger. I don't though. I'm proud of the fact I made it this far and don't mind saying I'm 50 if asked really. I just made it seem a bit more dramatic than it is for the benefit of my post. I'll probably be older than 50 at some stage, unless time stands still...No point denying it.
Thanks for your message. Much appreciated.
Happy Birthday Galen!
Thanks Asher. I cant believe I made it this far sometimes, but somehow managed it. 😁
I'm the exact same way when it comes to these birthday things. Don't fuss over me.
I don't have any Lego and I suck at following directions.
Happy Birthday!
Haha, thanks mate...It was happy and passed by rather painlessly. I didn't get Lego from my wife, but she got me a cool gift so I'm content.
Congratulations @galenkp!
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A couple of days behind, but it's never too late to celebrate my favourite Australian, apart from Margot Robbie, or Crocodile Dundee. At this point, I've run out of cultural inappropriations, but I wish you a Happy Birthday! Even at 50 years young, keep doing what you do, and never stop :-)
P.S. Hope Grouchy hasn't eaten all the birthday cake...
You had me at Margot Robbie. She's a top sort. Apparently quite down to earth also, but who knows with those Hollywood types.
Yeah bro, I'm 50...WTF huh? Wasn't so bad though...50 + 2 days now...Still rockin' it like a 49 year old.
You're handling it very well considering your age sir galenkp. lol.
Effin old fat fingers here.... Slipped and downvoted.
I swear the nerds that dev this cyber shit are clueless basement dweller hacks. Maybe they could put the vote buttons on top of each other next time....
Oh by the way......
Coolest Birthday Tune 4 U....!!
(src) ddg.com search they say its your birthday
I'm used to downvotes mate, they don't bother me.
Don't spam. The real Jesus came.