I’m celebrating my new status as a level 36 bard the way I spend ALL my major milestones, by getting drunk with my best friend Pippa Pilgrim (who coincidentally, and not all by accident, is now also my legal property). If you need me to explain how that last punchline works, please show yourself out – I have better things to do. Beyond saying thank you to everyone for your well wishes, birthday greetings and love I want to give you a gift, two gifts actually. The first, I want you to take a moment and reach out to someone you love (not me) and make sure they know how much you love them. This is important, don’t assume they know, make sure you tell them. Some days those messages are the difference between choosing to stay on the chessboard and people giving up. The second gift is a little harder, but will free up more emotional bandwidth than you could ever imagine – think long and hard about it though, because this is a big one. Say no to someone today, look at what they don’t bring to your life, or rather how much of your spirit they unapologetically eat, and cut them out of your world. Trust me this will hurt, but it will utterly change the landscape of your universe. Of all the things I’ve learned in my life, this is the single thing I wish I’d understood sooner. You owe nobody anything, blood doesn’t equal allegiance, you choose your own family. You curate who you allow into your life. I promise that once you stop forcing yourself to be “polite” to your racist uncle, your narcissistic mother, or your abusive sibling, the scope of your world will open. The power of the word “no” is earthshaking. If someone, or something doesn’t fill you with joy, say no and remove them/it from your orbit. Future you will toast you, they will remember your sacrifice fondly, and be grateful for your strength and kindness. Do it now, be unapologetic because this is your life. Your ONE life, and if you don’t choose how you spend your precious hours – someone else will. I love you all, thank you for making my life a wonderful place to be. I am beyond grateful for all of you. Hail yourself, happy unbirthday everyone. Except you donald trump. #birthday https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ6Uh_UlzbD/?igshid=1ja78ncluleda
