The year I finally figured out I don't know anything.

Last night while driving back home alone from Houston around midnight, the most self-entertaining moment (which, high on coffee, seemed utterly hilarious at the time) was lip syncing to "Wobble" as if I was a middle school choir teacher - keeping time, and encouraging my imaginary children with great enthusiasm.

I know you just tried it.
It's fun, isn't it?!

What I mean to say is that, one hour away from turning 33, I have discovered what so many folks older and wiser have as well:  how to take yourself far less seriously and to enjoy [fill in the blank] -but, basically, life in the moment.  It's a start.  A work in progress, but still, a start, none the less.

My mother told me a few years ago (as other seasoned people have said, as well) that the older you get the less you have life figured out and the less judgmental you can be.

Here, here.

Whether it's nutrition, parenting, marriage, health, philosophy, business -my experience and opinions keep evolving.  I feel wiser in knowing I'm less wise now than when I was 27 and thought I had life all figured out.  (I know most folks think they've got life handled in their early twenties, but mine's changed rapidly through the years and I can't quite pinpoint when I was truly certain about anything.)

This is the first year I don't feel I need a party.

This is the first year in ages that I haven't made a large accomplishment goal I need to conquer before my next birthday.  (I've taken off "write a book before {insert a certain age}" finally.)

This even may be the first year I don't feel I need to gorge myself on whatever I want in order to celebrate.  Only because I already did that today, so I'm set.

I am more clueless about "where I'll be in 10 years" than ever before.

But....

I am more certain of who I love and am spending more time with them.

I am more accepting of myself, flaws and all.

I am more accepting of others, flaws and all.

I am more thankful than ever.

I am happy.
And that's all that really matters.

So, happy birthday to me.  I've finally gifted myself a little slack and a lot of joy.

And I'm fairly confident, with the way this mindset is going, it's going to be a very good year life.