Monday, December 10, 2007

wish boxes, new beginnings, and a full heart.

A few weeks ago, Jamie wrote a post about the wish box that she made. Shortly after, Fiona made one too. The idea has been haunting me ever since and so, for my birthday yesterday, I promised to give myself unadulterated time to work on a wish box of my own.

I started my project the night before with a trip to the paper store where I stocked up on enough paper for a few other projects as well (including a new "33 journal"...which I will post photos of once I make it). Oh, delicious PAPER!! I am in love with Paper Gami. I tell you: in LOVE!

I am now 33 years old and, for some reason, this seems like a good, solid number to me. 33 is a balanced number. The edges of a 3 are round and open to possibility. 33 is more alive and spontaneous than 32 (at least, for me). 32 is a nice number. It was a year of healing. 32 included some pretty profound and sometimes painful internal shifting. But 33 has elbows to protect itself. 33 has an element of rebellion built into it. 33 is not too young and not too old. 33 is confident and willing to take chances. 33 has more fun.

Yes, so for my birthday this year I indulged myself heavily in a day of self-care (much to my husband's dismay). 32 was wonderful in many ways, but it sucked in just as many. Let me just say: I'm happy to move on. 32 was a major transition between my old life and the one I am living now. 33, I believe, is going to be the year that I make things happen. And you know what? I am oddly excited about this year. I can't really explain it, but I feel like some really wonderful things are going to start to happen for me.

I felt most alive when I was in my early twenties. I lived my life to the farthest reaches and back again. And, for some reason, I feel like my mid-thirties are going to be a whole new era of aliveness and unexpected adventures.

While working on my wish box I was thinking about what it is that I want it to represent and attract. There were several words that kept repeating through my head.

ROOTED. ABUNDANCE. CALM.

I spent a long time yesterday writing in my journal about where I've been and where I want to go. I'm beginning to see how even the painful bits of the past few years have led me to the precipice of where I am right now. I think the painful parts have, in their own way, made me a better person. It's taught me who I am. And at 33 I feel more solid within myself than I ever have in my entire life. 33 is strong. It's independent, but it's also open-hearted. 33 is a good year to be exactly the type of woman that I want to be.

And thank you for all of your awesome birthday wishes. You, my friends, make my heart feel FULL!

16 comments:

madelyn said...

33 is open hearted ~ perfectly
you...

32 paved for the way for all
the love and abundance that is
yours this year:)

I love that wish box ~ I need to
make one for my wishes ~ and
one of them will be that all your
wishes come true because you
are kind and loving and
so ...

open hearted

hugs~!!!

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeous box! And I KNOW you will make your wishes come true. You are just that kind of person. ;)

Olivia said...

Beautiful box, Jessie.

33 is SO young from 50. Trust me.

I'm so glad you had a wonderful day and created this, plus had time to reflect.

Happy birthday, and many, many more,

Love,

O

The Dream said...

Happy Birthday!!!!
33 is such a great age.
Enjoy it!!!
Here are some realities on aging for me:
Age 40: Breasts flew South and I realized that gravity was not my friend. It seemed like the minute I turned this age my vision changed: time for trifocals!
Age 45: I woke up to a turkey neck and a lot of wrinkles. My daughter informed me that I was losing elasticity in my face - what kind of thing is THAT to say to someone on their birthday?!

Truly - I am grateful. I am SO in the place of relishing life ... afterall, I'm still on the planet!

quiltcontemplation blogspot said...

Happy Birthday/Year
Everyday is a celebration!
love and all the best to you
m

Leah said...

sending love and wishes-come-true vibes your way. happy, happy birthday, gorgeous!

Tammy Brierly said...

I planned my return just in time to catch the celebration of a full heart.

Happy belated birthday sweetness!

XXOO

P.S. I hope you notice your art in my new blog room. ;)

Amber said...

Aww, I haven't been around blogland for a fews days, so I missed it. But please know that I wish you the happiest 33rd year, EVAH!! I also think 33 is a good number. And it adds to a six, and so it is fitting that you took time to nurture yourself on your day. The number six is all about the nurturing in numerology. Maybe this year will turn out to be very healing and nurturing for you.

((birthday hugs!!))

:)

Laura B. said...

Ooohh. Now I want a wish box, too :)

I love your musings about turning 33. Awesome!

Endment said...

What a fun idea! May all your wishes come to you
now You are being tagged to participate in a meme Seven Random Things

Kelly said...

I'm sorry I missed wishing you a happy birthday in a timely manner. So, Jessie, HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I can't wait to see what 33 holds for you. I have a very good feeling about it and I'm just so excited that you are going to bring us along for the ride.

liz elayne lamoreux said...

reading your words invites me to feel so open to possibility. thank you for this...

and happy belated birthday...i can't wait to see what 33 brings you dear girl.

meghan said...

I can't believe i missed your birthday!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY my friend!!

This is my 33rd year, too. I've decided that this year is going to completely ROCK.

Let's rock it together!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOVE to you!!!

Melanie Margaret said...

The box is beautiful!
33 will be a very good year for you I just know it!
3 is my favorite number!
My children are screaming...must go...

XOXOP,
melba

Anonymous said...

Hey, Jessie - I am behind on so many friends blogs.. sigh...
I want to wish you a belated birthday. I love your wish box and all of the beautiful energy you put into it. I turned 33 in October, and I feel so much of what you're saying here. This is a new time for me too - a time when I feel like I can finally see bubbles of possiblity all around me. I am so ready to go after my dreams.
Love to you..

Jamie said...

I just love your perspective on 33! With that and your gorgeous wish box, you can just feel the magic bubbling!