Roses are red, violets are blue, today’s my birthday but the gifts are for you.

I’m 53 years old young today. Hip, hip, hooray, where have the years gone? I still feel 21. Yep, except my need for reading glasses, dodgy memory and aching bones tells me otherwise. Falling off a bike recently didn’t help either.
However, I’ve never felt more blessed and passionate about life than I do right now. I’m grateful for every single day and my heart, mind and eyes are wide open. To a degree, blogging has played a huge part in that.

I started back in 2015, the February before I turned 50, the year before I lost my mum and my life changed forever.
As I write this (a few days before my birthday) I reflect on the gifts that blogging has brought me.
Perhaps you’ll relate to them as well. Gifts and messages for all of us:

I see things in a different light. One of my mantras since starting this blog is “seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary’. I truly believe when we see beauty in the simple things life can’t be anything but good.
Gratitude is the key. Every morning when I wake up I could sleep more give thanks for what I have. Even if the day before wasn’t brilliant I shift my focus to what I have and feel grateful for a new day.
Always believe that something wonderful is about to happen.
You Only Live Once. I know it’s cliched but it’s so true. Go after your dreams, take risks, take that holiday, do what stirs your heart and soul. I feel so passionate about this I started my own FB group (the link’s at the moment if anyone wants to join me.)
Everything feels enhanced. Through writing I gain clarity and in photography I gain awareness, through the subtleties of the world around me. The smallest details take on a new perspective and I love the way ‘ordinary’ can be transformed through a lens.
There’s messages in everything. I’ve learnt to roll with the punches, go with the flow, to let go of judgements and accept what is, even when I don’t fully understand. There’s always going to be challenges, crappy days and disappointments. However, we get to choose how we react.
Anything feels possible. I don’t just focus on what’s in front of me but what could be in front of me. I look for opportunities and see the possibilities and positives and, miraculously, when I do they somehow show up. What we focus on grows.
Every word and photo is a record of time. My posts on my blog and my travel articles that have been published in magazines, aren’t merely a destination piece but a tangible record of special times with my family. It’s a living journal and a legacy of sorts.
Sharing and travelling through others. Through WP I’ve travelled virtually to places that are still on my bucket list. I’ve laughed, cried, shared in success stories and been incredibly inspired. I love this community of kindred writers and artists.
My blog has lead me to my dreams. Through this blog I’ve forged my Outanabout column in a leading Australian travel magazine, I’ve made contacts and been offered assignments. Later this year I’ll be cycling hundreds of kilometres in a bike ride I wouldn’t have even contemplated a while ago. Who knows what’s next?
Rekindling a passion. I’ve rediscovered my love of music and felt confident enough to collaborate with Deb and Rob and share my singing and guitar playing, with more than just whoever’s sitting in my lounge room! And there’ll be more.
The greatest gift of all, friendship. I’ve met so many amazing people and formed a number of close friendships through my blog, both virtually and in real life. You know who you are. I feel as though my world has expanded tenfold.
Cheers to all of us, loving what we do and embracing who we are, regardless of our age. Life is beautiful and every day is precious.
I can’t imagine any greater gift.
Big collective hug to you all. Now it’s time to go and eat cake.
Enjoy today, laugh, live and love deeply and with no regrets and remember “you’re only as old as you feel.”
In love and light as we continue this awesome blogging journey
Want to connect with me on Facebook.
Come join my group for like minded travelers
Outanabout YOLO “You only live once”
Happy Birthday, Miriam!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Thanks Paul. 🙂
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🙂
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Happy birthday again Miriam. I love your photos 🙂
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Thanks Arlene!
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Happy birthday, Miriam! I hope the coming year brings you many blessings.
Besides blogging for the sheer fun of writing, I enjoy most meeting and getting to know people.
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Absolutely. Thanks Paul. And I agree, people just like you!
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The feeling’s mutual.
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Congratulations Miriam and celebrate your achievements, wow!
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Thanks so much Glenys. Feeling pretty blessed.
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Beautiful gesture! Congratulations on the beautiful day! Wish you a healthy life and beautiful shared that you have earned through blogging
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Thank you so much for your kind words.
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Happy Birthday fellow Libran. Enjoying the day but worrying about a sick dog.
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I’m sorry to hear that Peggy. Hope everything will be okay.
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Prospects are not good.
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Aww, I’m so sorry … 😔
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Happy Birthday youngster! Have a fabulous day enjoying all the gifts that life brings us 😊
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Happy Birthday Beautiful. This post says it all. Xx
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Happy birthday!
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Thanks Trent.
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Happy birthday to you!
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How awesome for you Miriam! Happy birthday. So glad you are getting assignments and living your dream. I love it.
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Aww, thanks Wendy. Appreciate that. xx
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This is beautiful blog post.. and Happy Birthday!
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Thank you!
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Such lovely words from a beautiful soul. Happy birthday to you and thanks for the gifts ❤️
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You’re very welcome Deb. Thank you my lovely friend. x 💕
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Happy birthday Miriam! 🎂🙋
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Thanks Kim 🙂
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Happy birthday!
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Thank you!
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So welcome, have a great year ahead!
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Aww, thanks, I hope to. You too. ❤️
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❤️
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Happy birthdayyyy 🎉🎁🎈
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Thank you!
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You’re welcome Miriam ✨
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Happy Birthday, Miriam!
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Thanks Rob. Sung and with your guitar? 🙂🎶🎸
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Of course! 🙂
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😄🍷🍷
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Happy Birthday Miriam! What a beautiful post! Thank you for the gift of YOU!
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That’s such a lovely comment Jodi. Thank you. ❤️
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Happy Birthday sweetie! 53? yeh right. More like 42.
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Oh, now you’ve just completed my day! 😊❤️
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Happy Birthday!!! I can relate to your list of gifts, except the guitar playing and singing, but my husband does that. I’m a Libra, too. 😉
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Thank you so much. Lovely to meet you. 🙂
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Happy birthday, Miriam! Have a great day, and enjoy your cake!
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Thanks very much Adam. I certainly did! 😊
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Happy Birthday once again Miriam. Blogging does indeed uncover unexpected treasures. Enjoy your cake. 🌼
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Thanks so much Brigid. I certainly did enjoy. 💕🙂
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A very content and healthy birthday and rest of the coming years to you Miriam 😀 . These are the best birthday thoughts I’ve ever come across and fill me up with joy and smiles. There is no better way to live than enjoying what you have and sharing all the way.
Keep exploring and cherishing the moments. Lovely pictures and beautiful thoughts. Age is just a number, count your blessings instead!
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Absolutely! Thank you so very much for your lovely words. Happy if my post made you smile. Enjoy your day too. 🙂
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Happy Birthday Miriam! Congrats on making your life so full of passion and possibility. I must admit to losing those in my life. Thankfully, I so have my health, a good living situation, and friends. I love your tips, especially looking for the beauty in ordinary life. Big hugs and blessings!
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Thank you Brad. I hope you can find back that passion and possibility. I must admit to losing mine a bit on the way too but if you’ve got friends, good health and other positives it’s only a matter of time before the rest falls into place. Hugs back xx
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Thank you Miriam!
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Happy Birthday! I hope you had a wonderful day. You know I ll be 40 in February and aging is so strange. Yes I can see wrinkles on my face which confirm aging, your core self doesn’t age. I thought I’d feel different as I age but on the inside I feel no different to when I turned 30. Perhaps that’s God’s special gift to us? ✌🏼☺️
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What a lovely way of looking at it Bridey. And yes, I feel the same way too. Sometimes I just can’t believe I’m 53.
Thanks for your lovely words and kind wishes. xx
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Happy Birthday, Miriam!!!! Age is just a number…keep feeling as young as your mind is!!
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Aww, thanks George. It really is just a number. 🙂
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Happy Happy Happy Birthday too you dearest Miriam. What a beautiful, joyous, up beat , dancing blog.
I am sooooooo very happy that you have got work that is aligned to your passion in real life, and in your blog. And that is something so great and means life is in harmony.
Omg cycling assignment… well you are fit and strong. So how will that work, will hubby be with you .. it is a fab opportunity and exciting. (Clearly i fainted reading that . Cause that is not for me as you know 😉😆).
Have a fab birthday and wish you a lot more happiness and success
Love bella🌹😚
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Big birthday hug! Got some coffee for that cake?
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Absolutely! Coffee coming right up. 🙂☕️
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Happy Birthday, sister! Keep giving out the free advice, please. I’m buying it at twice the price!
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Hey Tom, that’s great, thanks so much!
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What a terrific blog post for all of us to read — inspired by your most recent birthday! My favorite sentence is “there’s always going to be challenges, crappy days and disappointments. However, we get to choose how we react.” Please keep living, loving, observing, photographing and writing about your life here on planet earth. We will keep reading!
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Aww Will, you always leave the nicest of comments! Thank you so much. And yes, I’ll most definitely keep writing and hopefully people will keep reading. 🙂
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Jim tells me it’s your birthday so wishing you a very Happy Birthday.
Leslie
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Jim’s such a sweetie. Thank you Leslie, I appreciate you stopping by. 🙂
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I hope your special day was a good one Miriam.
Leslie 🙂
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Thanks very much Leslie. It was. 🙂
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🙂
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Happy Birthday!!🎂🎈 There’s so much of life for you to enjoy. Savor every moment. ❤️😀
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Thank you Bernice. I certainly intend to. ❤️💐
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Happy Happy Birthday wonderful, inspiring Miriam! I adore your blog and am so happy that you are following your dreams. 🙂
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Aww Nicole, thank you so much. From one dream chaser to another, that means the world to me. 🙂
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Nicole, I also wanted to say that I absolutely loved your last post on finding the path. I’ve tried leaving a couple of comments but not sure I succeeded. Just wanted you to know. 🙂
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Oh thanks Miriam! I do get your comments but sometimes it takes me a few days to respond. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I all of the sudden feel like I have way too much alone time on my hands so am searching for some kind of part time job. The blog doesn’t take up as much time as I have and the kids are in school all day so now is the time. 🙂
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Good luck with that job hunting Nicole.
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Happy Happy Happy Birthday Miri!!!
This is such a beautiful post and leave it to you to give us a gift for your birthday.
I hope you have a wonderful day and an amazing year. ❤
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Thank you my gorgeous friend ❤️
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Hope you have a very happy birthday. ♥
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Thanks Sandra 🙂
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You’re welcome. 🙂
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Sounds like the beginning of another beautiful year. 😃😃 xx
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What a lovely thought. I hope so. Thanks Jo. xx 😊
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Happy, happy birthday, Miriam & thank you for your beautiful gifts!
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Thanks so much Kim. It’s my pleasure. 💕
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Happy birthday, Miriam – Wonderful photos and very inspiring words of wisdom (as usual)! 🙂
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Thanks very much Donna
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I couldn’t agree more, Miriam. Each day is a gift. This supportive community is a gift. Anything is possible . . . and gratitude is the key. Have a wonderful birthday!
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Thanks so much Donna. Yes, attitude is most definitely the key! Hope you’re well.
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happy birthday my friend! yes, i can relate with several of your points about blogging.
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I’m so glad you can Elizabeth. Thank you 🙂
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Happy Birthday Miriam,, you are an inspiration.
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Thanks Barbara, you’re very kind.
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Miriam, happy birthday! Continue living your best life!!! 🎂😊
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Thanks very much Josiah. I’ll certainly do my best 😊
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Happy Birthday Miriam! 🎊
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Thanks Maverick!
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Happy birthday my dear friend! I’m so happy to know you virtually. And thanks for those virtual tours of Australia! I’d like to make it there someday. Hope you had a great day and keep writing and inspiring all of us. Sending you tight hugs from sunny Seoul!
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Thanks Cheryl. I’m happy to know you too and I really hope you make it here one day so I can give you one of those hugs in person! Cheers from sunny Melbourne. 🙂
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such wise words and these pictures are beautiful!
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Thanks Mack!
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Happy birthday, Miriam! 🎁🎂🎉
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Thank you Ai.
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Hope it’s beeen a super fabulous 53 day. Mine is in November 🙂
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You’re not far behind me then. Happy birthday for November! 🙂
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Thanks Miriam
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I trust you had a good day
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I did, thank you Derrick. Ate far too much!
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🙂
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Miriam,
Many warm and happy birthday wishes to you, my friend! You have such a beautiful way of sharing your life with all your readers and I feel blessed to have found you. Every time I read one of your posts, it’s like opening up a gift of joy! Have an amazing birthday week and 53rd year! Sparkle on,
Mona
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What a beautiful thing to say Mona. Thank you so much! You’ve put a big smile on my face. Shine on yourself my new lovely friend. xx 💫
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What a lovely heartfelt post Miriam and a very happy birthday (which I’ve probably missed by a long way now). You’re so right about blogging bringing you gifts though, we feel it’s opened up so many new worlds to us and brought us into contact with so many wonderful people.
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Couldn’t agree more Jonno. And thanks very much for my birthday wishes, it’s never too late!
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