What makes a great birthday?

It's March 21st, aka my birthday. I share it with Gary Oldman and Johann Sebastian Bach. But I also share it with both of my books, Please Return to the Lands of Luxury and Welcome to the Lands of Luxury which is officially out today!

Last night, a friend asked how I'd celebrate another year around the sun. At first I felt guilty because I didn’t have plans to relax or “treat myself.” Instead I’d be working day and night on the new book release.



But I only felt bad because I was caught up in what I valued during my childhood. Back then “special plans” were the epitome of a solid birthday and those special plans always included endless fun (which for 9-year-old me meant ice cream cake and a boatload of new Star Wars action figures).



And those were all great memories as a kid. Here's me blowing out the candles on a Big Bird cake when I was 2.

There might not be a Sesame Street cake or Star Wars toy this year, but that doesn't make today any less meaningful.



Today launching my next book is what's special. After all, that’s why I chose my birthday as its release day in the first place!



Just like different people value different things in life, what we find meaningful can change as we age.



That’s why it's important to check in with ourselves and reflect on what we find meaningful at the phase of life we’re currently in. That’s not only the secret to creating satisfying birthday plans, but also the secret to enjoying every day we’re blessed with.



During this phase of my life I find so much joy in connecting with my readers. Today that is the equivalent to a Big Bird cake when I was 2 or a brand-new Millennium Falcon toy when I was 9.

So yes, you can buy the new book through my website. (And yes, you buying and sharing these things will make me very happy.)



BUT



I don’t want to gloss over the fact that you've already added a special spark to my birthday—just by reading this post. Connecting with you is already the greatest gift I could ask for. So thanks for being on this journey with me.