It all started as I looked ahead to a monumental birthday.
(Scroll down to see my list of sixty gifts.)
Most people get gifts for their birthdays. I’m choosing to look at my birthday itself as a gift. I don’t want to waste it!
Sixty. That seems like a milestone. Especially since I’ve had a few near-death experiences. Reflecting on my birthday propelled me to do a personal inventory of where I’ve been and where I’m going. Join me if this is a process you’d like to undergo before your next birthday. Sign up to my mailing list and receive a free download, “Sixty Gifts to Give Yourself.” In it I share a formula you can use for your personal growth retreat along with a worksheet, and sixty inspirational quotes. I also give an exclusive opportunity to join the Grin Gal Pal team.
I’m using this monumental year to take inventory of my life and set some meaningful intentions. So let me tell you about my Project60 plan. I have a list of goals for wellbeing. I had fun planning way ahead because I knew achieving these goals wouldn’t happen overnight. I realized weight-loss and better lab work would take quite a bit of time, so I had to start well before I hoped to accomplish those goals.
There is so much in my life, including multiple diseases, that is outside of my control. The best thing I can do to stay sane is to focus on what is in my control. Project60 inspired me to focus on how God wants me to choose the best self-caregiving choices for wellbeing in a way that brings him the most glory. Personal stewardship. The gift of wellbeing is a great gift to give my sixty-year-old self. It has taken a lot of strategy and dogged determination. Living intentional. And that feeds into my wish for exercising more control. A yielded control that is so rewarding! I think that’s the type of self-control we experience as a fruit of the Spirit. Not behavior modification but a heart yielded to God so he can lead in what boundaries and goals we need to set in order for self-control to be activated.
The consistent act of making healthful choices for body, soul, and spirit is just as important as completing them! These intentions are not based on guilt or shame but on personal stewardship. It’s what Eugene Peterson called “long obedience in the same direction.”
In addition to the wellbeing goals, my list of sixty gifts to give my sixty-year-old self includes actual gifts or experiences. Normally, I’m quite the minimalist with purchases, and frugal to boot! So these gift ideas are extravagant and won’t happen all at once. I’ve been doing some of them gradually leading up to my birthday, and the rest will happen after I turn sixty (but hopefully before sixty-one!). I’m not listing these to impress you or flaunt what I’m doing. If you know my heart you know that’s not in me. My hope is to show you how to celebrate your life and be a good steward of your life at the same time, for God’s glory and the benefit of his kingdom. Here’s my Project60 list.
Physical
- Fitness
- Range of motion improvement
- Omega-3 EPA and DHA supplements
- Vitamin D supplements
- Calcium supplements
- A1C and blood glucose in range
- Immune globulin subcutaneous infusions
- Prescription medication need reduced
- Cataract surgery—better vision
- Pain reduced
- Weight reduction
- Diseases better addressed
- Measurements reduced
- Weightlifting (the gift of enjoying the sessions and the results of it)
- Zumba
- 5K walk
- Fitness class
Spend
- Massage
- Pedicure
- iPad or tablet
- iPhone
- Ice cream maker
- Outdoor furniture
- Outfit in a smaller size
- Bra in a smaller size
- Sofa and ottoman
- Jewelry
- Eyeglasses
- Kitchen gadget
- Shed conversion to gym
- Floating desk in gym
- Photo shoot (headshots, personality shots)
- Tennis shoes (trainers)
- Gourmet seasoning
Experience
- Friendship enhancements
- Your Life on Hold published
- WordGirls community
- Wellbeing Warriors community
- Porch swing time
- Music playlists
- Prayer journal
- Book chat with friend
- Fish of the week
- Brenham, Texas, outing
- Roundtop, Texas, outing
- Dinner party group
- Classmates Zoom (joint birthday party)
- Day of thrifting
- Overnighter with a friend
- Overnighter with husband
- Picnic at park with husband
- Photo album time (go down memory lane)
- Funny movie date with husband
- Concert tickets
- Dining table and chairs refinished
- Cooking class (maybe virtual?)
- Martin Dies, Jr. State Park hike (https://www.alltrails.com/us/texas/jasper)
- Photo adventure (taking photos)
- Gourmet meal (at chef table?)
- National Park Access Pass https://store.usgs.gov/access-pass (free w/ disability)