My birthday is coming up - this Saturday, Oct. 15th to be exact. And it’s off-limits to working for anyone else. It’s my day. I am not doing any work except on my own sites and for myself . It’s golden. It’s my day. Why am I bothering to make this so clear?

Every year I “help” someone else on my birthday and feel angry and resentful for doing it because it’s not what I wanted to do and I believed I couldn’t say “no” to my friends. I’ve been working on that. I say “No,” quite easily lately. I’ve been practicing.

This year I’m not going to cave, so don’t bother asking. You’ll just piss me off - probably for a whole year or longer, maybe forever. Send me cards, wish me well, take me out to dinner or lunch, post silly birthday greetings, sing me a song, but don’t expect anything in terms of work or help from me. I’m taking care of me all day. And I am totally fine with that. You will have to wait until Monday, because Sunday is off-limits too. I’ll be resting from all the fun I have planned for my Saturday birthday.

This should be a no brainer, but for the past half-century, it hasn’t been.

As I realize how little time we all have really, every minute I spend on others before meeting my own needs becomes like a burning thorn in my side. It’s my turn. I love helping, love being generous, love engaging with others, but just not for you and not on my birthday.

I’m going to sleep in late, watch movies, drink soda, take my dog on a long walk and maybe spoil her too - and maybe I’ll buy a small bottle of Kahlua or Peach Schnapps to toast myself with later. But I’m not going to worry about anything else. Thank you all for understanding. And if you don’t understand, that’s your problem, not mine. Happy Birthday me!