Welcome to your Sunday audio LoveGram.

Today I send you a pink flamingo.

I send you a sunflower, suddenly blossomed, in your front yard.

I send you a song, sung just for you, with just the right words to make you feel loved and understood.

***

Hey! Today is my birthday! (That’s little me, up above in the photo. I guess I loved hats even 50+ years ago!)

So, in celebration, today’s audio LoveGram is focused on ways to celebrate someone without that cookie-cutter imperative, “Happy Birthday.”

AND, we also touch on how to make YOUR birthday fit where you are in the moment. (It’s your birthday, you can cry if you want to!)

In other words, balloons and confetti are great when they suit the mood and feel real. But let’s pause at birthday time (yours or someone else’s!) and think about what’s right for this moment.

Don’t just rush at ’em with that overdone birthday song, put yourself in their shoes and imagine what kind of love they really need.

(To listen to the audio, just click over to this page, scroll down, and hit “play” on the audio player.)

***

Special thanks to Becky DeRoches, whose personalized birthday song to me kicked off our audio today! You can listen to the whole song on the audio LoveGram page for this week.

Becky sent me this song for my 50th birthday, eight years ago. I listen to it every single year on my birthday. It is a shining, beautiful example of “Say it Now” in action.

***

[Spoiler alert]

I know that some of you prefer to read rather than listen. So, I’m gonna give you the nuts and bolts right here. However, I encourage you to listen because there is so much subtlety to this topic.

(And, you will get to hear Becky’s song!)

Ready?

Here are two things I want you to think about when it comes to birthdays:

When it is your birthday, give yourself permission to ask for what you want or need.

Your celebration could be a dinner party or dancing. It could be tea with a friend or reading a book under a tree. Follow YOUR energy and heart. And reach out to ask for people to show up in a way that will most support you.

When it is your birthday or someone else’s birthday, there is no requirement to have a “Happy Birthday.”

Please try to pause before you sing the birthday song to someone or text a dancing “Happy Birthday” gif to them. Consider whether they are grieving, lost, or lonely. If they are having a challenging time, send them love and appreciation. Be real. And thoughtful. Don’t simply resort to a sing-songy message that may leave them feeling worse.

If you want to hear a more in-depth explanation of why these are so important and necessary, listen to your audio LoveGram now!

***

Thank you, as always, for being here. I love sharing life with you. 

I know you. I see your generous heart. 

I know you want to bring more life into your life. 

I applaud you for being someone on a path of awareness and who practices joy. 

Be intentional. 

Be courageous. 

Be willing to celebrate yourself and others in ways that are authentic and perfect for the moment. 

Sending you love.

Seek celebration — even in dark corners,

xo Sherry

 

P.S.  I launched my Birthday Kindness Project earlier this week and opened up slots for letters to people who needs boosts of love. Thank you to everyone who responded! I love you and will get back to each of you within a few days! 

P.P.S Want to help me celebrate my birthday in the best way possible? I would be so grateful if you would purchase my book, “Say it Now.” The message of expressing our love and appreciation is so important to me. Your support means TONS! If you’ve already bought a copy, would you consider clicking that same link and leaving a review or purchasing a copy for a friend or your local library? THANK YOU!