If you know me well, you know I love my music, movies and books. I’m a lover of all media and alot of my inspiration for writing this blog comes from words i hear, watch or read. I love Disney’s latest live action release of Cinderella. At the beginning of the film when Ella’s mother is on her deathbed she utters to her daughter “a great secret that will see you through all the trials life has to offer. Have Courage and Be Kind”. This rings true for me and I use this sentence a lot, when dealing with the social situations that face 5 year olds and sometimes even nearly 40 year olds. There is a lovely lesson in Having Courage and Being Kind, no matter what is thrown your way be courageous and be kind.
I’m learning that more and more, it is not what I am or what I have, but who i am and what i do. My experience is that acts of kindness bring us the real joys of life. The joy felt when your kindness makes another person smile is probably my favourite. I have received many kindnesses in the preparation of the fund-raising 40th event and I’m very grateful. (check out THE HELP). And I am so looking forward to the smile on my face when i wake up 40 on Sunday!
Yesterday I was running around picking up the final elements for the event this weekend and out of my extensive play list on Apple Music came on Audra Mae’s Forever Young ( Originally written by none other than Mr Bob Dylan himself). If you watched the Sons of Anarchy TV series from HBO you would know this song. (Here is the YouTube link if you are interested https://youtu.be/rAD-4XKBcmA). In the quietness of cruising in the car, this one song, hit home. While this week is the last of my thirties, and organising a fund-raising birthday has kept me busier than ever, this moment of solitude, uncovered the words that inspire me. Here are Mr Dylan’s lyrics:
May God bless and keep you always,
May your wishes all come true,
May you always do for others
And let others do for you.
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung,
And may you stay forever young,
May you stay forever young.
May you grow up to be righteous,
May you grow up to be true,
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you.
May you always be courageous,
Stand upright and be strong,
May you stay forever young,
May you stay forever young.
May your hands always be busy,
May your feet always be swift,
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift.
May your heart always be joyful,
May your song always be sung,
May you stay forever young,
May you stay forever young.
While each one of the lyrics means so much for me. I have also learned that having the support of family and friends, no matter what you face in life, no matter how big or small, this strong foundation helps you sail through the challenges. Yes I have also started a DIY project in the courtyard to build a ladder to the stars, this 40th birthday project of paying it forward certainly is some wishes coming true. I wished that more people would know and understand Hydrocephalus. That the event this weekend will provide some much-needed funds for the Australian Shunt Registry. And that by Paying 40 Forward it will make a difference to all the families that have a-lot harder time than us dealing with this condition.
So for once in my event planning life, I am not stressed, I am not concerned about the outcomes. I head into the weekend of celebrating the last days of being in my 30s determined to pay it forward so turning 40 will be a joyful reflection in the years to come. As I will know that I had the courage to make a difference, through kindness you can achieve almost anything and that I will be forever young!