A lot of people stress out about the big birthdays — 30, 40, 50, and beyond…
And I believe that’s a sign that something’s off. Something’s out of alignment. Because when you’re truly living your message, growing older feels like a gift. A celebration of what has been… and what’s to come.
Think about it — each year you’re alive, you gain more wisdom and step more fully into your power.
It makes me sad when I meet people in their 40s, 50s or 60s who feel like the best is behind them.
I believe that the best is always ahead. Your best lies in the process of becoming.
Insight #1: Anything is possible at any time, you can fundamentally change your life with the snap of your fingers if you so want to. It may take awhile for your brain and your identity to catch up, but you can do it.
I believe our potential as humans is truly infinite… and we hold ourselves back in so many ways because we learn to focus on our challenges and limitations instead of our greatness.
We’re surrounded by people who see who we are and not necessarily who we are becoming.
Which leads me to…
Insight #2: “If you want to go far, go together.” — African Proverb
We’re stronger together than we are apart, as a team… and as a tribe. No matter how good you are at what you do as an individual, teamwork, collaboration and mentorship will always make you better.
We are tribe-based animals for a reason. Tribe truly comes first. Find your tribe… or create it!
Insight #3: “You can have everything you want in life, if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” — Zig Ziglar
The secret to success is much simpler than most people imagine. The secret to success is simply helping other people get what they want.
It’s amazing how much you can receive when you lead with giving.
Insight #4: If you’re not growing, you’re dying.
I’ve made a commitment in my life to walk what I call the Master’s Path. It keeps me hungry and humble, because of Mastery… is a lifelong pursuit.
There’s always another level to your craft and to your game, and you can find huge fulfillment when the work becomes its own reward.
You don’t work to eat. You don’t work to live. You don’t work to prove yourself. You work because it’s your calling. It’s the expression of your soul coming through you.
You work because…
Insight #5: Your purpose — and your business should you choose to build one — is not only the greatest form of personal development there is, but it’s also the fastest way to step fully into the person you’re meant to be.
People worry all the time about expertise and credibility, they think they need another degree or certification before they can “do them” or “be them.”
They don’t realize that simply being them and doing them gives them all the expertise and credibility they need.
You, my friend, open doors.
Insight #6: There’s nothing more powerful than being fully and authentically YOU.
Your greatest contribution to the world is simply being you.
Fully, without shame or embarrassment…
and definitely without holding back.
All that’s needed is to…
Insight #7: Be all in like a boss.
Commit fully. Hold nothing back. Do it for real. Having one foot in and one foot out will only get you the hokey pokey.
Greatness lies in your full commitment.
As Yoda famously said, “Do. Or do not. There is no try.”
Insight #8: If something’s going to change, you’re the one to do it.
Instead of blaming, shaming or judging, take full ownership and responsibility of every situation.
Lead by example. Take initiative. Dare to care.
Insight #9: Never settle in life, love or business for anything less than your Fullest Expression and your most Unrestricted Desires.
Settling is for dust. Or a cup of tea.
Insight #10: Keep in mind that the first time you do anything is almost always the hardest. If you do it once, then you can do it again. It only gets easier from here…
All you have to do is take the next step, then keep moving. Momentum will take care of the rest, so you can…
Insight #11: Live… and die… without regret.
This one is a tagline I wrote for my student Annette Pang…
and they are truly words to live by.
And I believe in living by your words…
Insight #12: Language makes the world go round. You speak your life into being, so say what you mean and mean what you say.
Insight #13: Behind every complaint is a hidden, unexpressed desire.
Everything people say and do is either a cry for love or an act of love.
Practice seeing the love in each situation and take nothing personally.
Insight #14: Become a time warrior.
Guard your time, energy, attention, focus and life force as if your life depends on it — because it does.
Other people’s lives depend on it.
Say no — a LOT — so you can say yes to what matters.
Insight #15: Insights come from anywhere and everywhere… yes, that’s kind of like wishing for more wishes, but hear me out. I grew up traveling the world with my family and I learned that the deepest insights, inspirations and solutions are often found in the most unlikely places. Stay open. Stay humble. Stay hopeful.
Insight #16: Human ingenuity can solve every problem known to man. Every problem ever created… and every problem yet to be created.
My client Michael Hancox has devoted his company to “transcending finite natural resources with infinite human potential.”
How can you transcend the finite with the infinite in you?
Insight #17: Beauty is everywhere and life is an art form.
It’s not just what you do, it’s how you do it.
It’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it.
Live with panache, beauty and wonder.
Insight #18: Invest in yourself. Human capital is the most valuable asset in the world…
And you are your most valuable investment.
Why invest in stuff when you can invest in growth and learning?
Insight #19: Don’t forget to appreciate the small stuff.
Celebrate every day.
Laugh for no reason…
and enjoy the ride.
Insight #20: There is only now.
In a weird way I don’t believe in holidays because I believe in celebrating life every day.
I don’t believe in Valentine’s Day because I believe in celebrating love every day.
I don’t believe in birthdays because I believe in celebrating you and what you want — every day.
I’ve watched this trend towards birthday weeks and birthday months and it makes me laugh — why limit the celebration to a day? A week? Or a month?
Why wait until your birthday comes around to say, “This year I’ll do it.”?
There is no this year or next year, there is only now.
You’re as ready as you’ll ever be. Do it now!
And I want to help you take ACTION every day to grow your business to new heights this year. That’s why I’m inviting you to my brand new FREE LIVE Workshop — Unlock The Science of Consistent Action — this Thursday, March 23rd at 9am PT/12pm ET.
See ya there!
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And thanks for reading!
I must admit, I’m writing this post as much for me as I am for you… this is my record of who I am and what I believe at this particular sliver of time.
What are YOUR biggest insights from being alive?
Leave a comment, let me know, let’s enrich each other’s lives.
Now go out there and Live Your Message.
Love it? Hate it? Let me know...
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Hi Marisa,
I’d say you’ve written down my credo as well, and as beautifully as I wouldn’t have been able to! Only point I fill only partially in is Insight#10. In my terms of continuous improvement there’s never a doing something a second time. Every time I do something, it’s a better way compared to last time, so it has new challenges, a new raising up of the bar… so it’s definitely no easier. Of course, my confidence has grown, but it’s like I’m doing it for the very first time!Happy birthday by someone who’s already passed the 40s gate! (and yes, the best is yet to come!) 😀
Love,
Danilo-
Thanks Danilo. I hear you — and I still believe that things do get easier not just because you’re doing it a second time but because your confident, commitment and momentum grows so you feel more up to the task. 🙂
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Love that. Thank you Marisa! ?
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Happy Birthday, Marisa! Thanks for the insights. My biggest insight after 82 years is that life is simple; at least it has been for me. I go with the flow, listen to my gut, never take anything personal, laugh lots (even at myself), love as much as I can, and appreciate being alive in this awesome, mysterious, wonderful, beautiful infinity we call the universe..
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I love these insights Karl! Thanks so much for sharing. You’re my kind of guy. xo
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I resonate so well with these points Marisa. Don’t always practice them all the time, but I get a new day to go for it again. At 67, you are a kid to me (smile). Age has never been an issue for me either. I agree with the bit about holidays – celebrate when you want and show your caring and interest all year long. Have a blast during the rest of your life journey.
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Here’s to a new day Virginia! I’m happy to still be a kid… 😉
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Nice, Marisa. I am Patrick’s friend
, who is about to celebrate 50 BD and many of your insights resonate with me a lot. Happy BD. Happy everyday! ;-)))-
Hi Sharka! Which Patrick? 🙂 And thanks!
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Patrick D!
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What a great article, Marisa! I’ll share it as soon as I’ve posted this comment (which I’m having to compose in email and paste because your comment window is working backward when I type. It’s fine as long as there are no typos, but there are).
My birthday wish for you is that like me, you find each decade better than the previous one. For me, that’s been true since the half-decade from 15-20 (10-15 was pretty rough). Now, at 61, recently done with my FABULOUS 50s, my 60s are off to a rockin’ good start. At age 57, I finally started thinking big enough and found my purpose, and for the first time was able to tell people what I wanted to do when I grew up: I want to be the person who shows the business world how to make a profit addressing things like hunger, poverty, war, and catastrophic climate change (learn more at goingbeyondsustainability.com)
Wishing you a TREMENDOUS 40s and even better 50s, 60s, 70s…
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I love this Shel and I do expect to make every decade better than the last. Thanks for devoting the rest of your life to worthwhile mission! xo
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Thanks for appreciating this work, Marisa (and your work has helped me think about it). And hi to my old buddy Laura Mazza Gonick, who I noticed in the comments.
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Of course! I believe it’s part of all our paths to make the world a little better with our lives and our contributions. <3
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Hi Marisa,
I am sharing this with my 22-yo son who is graduating from college next week and who is already doubting whether his Recording Arts degree will mean “anything” . My Millennial son, Blake, is already dreading the unpaid internship options and doubting whether he’ll even find a good job.
Your #7 and #10 beautifully supports my favorite Marisa slide: ACTION=>CLARITY=>REDEFINITION=>IDEA and back to ACTION…
Blake has seen this slide before (as I have it posted everywhere) but your post here brings home the ACTION idea even further that not only does there need to be an Action but that “..the first time [he] does anything will be the hardest.” Thank you for that reminder to expect that it will be hard. But not so hard the next time thereafter .
Blake may not listen to me, as I seem to have lost my clout as the parent of a young adult who has lived independently for 4 yrs., (“Come on Mom, this isn’t 1978!”) but he may listen to you! 40-yr olds seem to have the gift of cross-generational credibility the rest of us don’t have. I can use that to my advantage to dispense your words of wisdom without sounding like I am straight out of disco.
Your thoughts resonate with those of all ages; from me the Boomer, to your generation that I refer to as the “Oregon Trail generation” (Gen X) to Millennials. To me your skilled gift of true expression is at the forefront of your many Superpowers.
I plan to copy this post and slip it into his graduation card. And insert your sage advice, “…there is no this year or next year. Do it now!”
Thank you!
Happy Birthday! ????
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Aww. Thanks for sharing Janine! You are such a light in the world. I hope this resonates with Blake! xo!
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I Love it!
You are wise beyond your years, Marisa.
Thanks for sharing.…and Happy Birthday.
Congratulations on being 1 year more experienced!
Enjoy sharing your celebration of life with family & friends this week.
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Thank you Tom! So far, I’m enjoying being one year wiser and more experienced. 🙂
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Hi Marisa your message is very meaningful. You are great and a brainy person I couldn’t reach your power. I am only on the 3rd level. Thank you. Life is just like a wheel of freedom and Love is what we make it. My life now is crying in the inside and laughing in the outside I considered one of the badluck person living alive in this world. Thank you and Happy Birthday my friend.
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Your welcome Victorino. I’m glad you found meaning in this share and I’m rooting you on. It’s not too late to turn your luck around!
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Hi Marisa, I love your inspiring message. It is like a sign for me. I was feeling depressed and ready to give up because of health issues, but now I feel my optimism creeping back after reading your post. I hope you don’t mind, but I want to retype it and put up all over my house, so that when the blues hit again I will look at your words and the sun shine will flood my thought again. You are awesome.
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I’m so glad these words landed at the right time for you and you have my total blessing to retype them and put them up to inspire you when you need it. Sending a bit of sunshine your way… xo
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I love it!!! happy birthday Marisa 🙂
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Thanks Tania!
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Hi Marisa,
I totally agree with your insight no.9. If you sit and reflect, you will know why you manifested on earth in the place you were born, and in the family you have now. It is to facilitate your fullest expression. When I celebrated my 60th birthday, all that I felt was that now i should begin journaling. That did not happen. I find that I can communicate better this way.-
Nita, I’m absolutely committed to my Fullest Expression and love that you’re committed to yours as well. There’s still time to pick up that journal if you’re inspired. 🙂
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Greetings Marisa,
On this your very special day I humbly ask the Universe to continue showering you with the bountiful blessing of success, prosperity and abundance throughout this year. The birthday message you just shared with us is a well received gift to help us fulfill our mission in achieving our greatness as we too make a difference in the world. Thank You and live this your special day to its fullest!-
Thank you so much for this beautiful note Missi! I definitely feel blessed to have so much abundance and success in my life.
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