Imagine this: it’s your birthday. Your husband asks you what you want to do. The possibilities are endless. You can do whatever you want. After all, it’s your day. A special day dedicated just to you (and the thousands – or maybe millions? – of others who share the same birthday – because honestly, did you really think you were the only one with this birthday?). So okay, the day is yours, you can do whatever you want. A party with friends, a fancy dinner, going out dancing…
What would you say if I told you that for my birthday, I worked? Yep – work. Except here’s the thing, I chose to work. Now before you start freaking out and getting all upset that I had to work on my birthday, let me tell you this: I wanted to work. WHAT?! Yes, that is your reaction – trust me, I have special Mommy powers, and I can see your face right through the computer screen. Don’t look into the camera… ha! Made you look. See, I didn’t tell you the whole story just a second ago – part of me wanted to see your reaction… I know, I know. I’m sorry.
I wanted to work today, on my birthday, because for me, work doesn’t seem like “work.” Work isn’t hard for me – in the sense that I don’t have to drag myself to do it. Work isn’t something I dread. In fact, it’s just the opposite. I love to work. I love to do MY work. I love what I do so much, and I am so much in alignment with my purpose and my passion, that “work” for me is necessary. I quiver and get all tumbled in a knot when I don’t get to work (especially when I really want to).
Here’s what I’m trying to say (and gosh I really hope you get it, and even more so my wish is that you would experience this yourself): when you are doing what you’re supposed to be doing, when you are on purpose, fulfilling your God-given gifts, you are in alignment. When you are in alignment, you can’t help but love what you do, and there is not much that could get in your way of doing it. When you love what you do, you will want to do it. Hence, working on my birthday.
So today, I sit at a wine bar (because I love wine too… you’ve met me, right?), a bottle of Pinot Noir (Angels Landing – appropriately named and even more appropriately chosen… and delicious too I might add), some hummus and chips (so I don’t get all loopy), my trusty blue camel back water bottle (gotta stay hydrated!), my laptop (with a graciously long battery life), and the inspiration for words. I am doing exactly what I want to be doing today! I am living my purpose, living in alignment and full integrity of my program (of which the first step is the Permission Pinwheel™).
It is my birthday (no need to ask how old) and I have had the most perfect day! It’s all because I was asked what I wanted to do, I gave myself permission to think about it, and I gave myself permission to do it! Dreams and desires without action stay just that – dreams. You can quote me on that one.
The next time someone asks you what you want to do, whether it’s your birthday or not, do me a favor and take the time to actually think about it. Give yourself permission. It’s okay to know what you want in life – even if it’s just what kind of cheese you want on your burger.
Here’s to the BEST version of YOU!
Pamela Zimmer
Author, Speaker, Mentor
Cupcake photo courtesy of flickr.com, Laptop photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net