A birthday reflection

by Joyce Rupp on Jul. 19, 2010

I look back upon the past year, through the many ups and downs, and I gather my significant memories – people, events, inner stirrings, dreams, jolts, joys, heartaches, etc. – all that touched my life in any sort of special way.

As I look over my year:

Dreamstime/CelwellDreamstime/CelwellI am especially grateful for ...
I am amazed at ...
I am puzzled by ...
I wish that ...

As I look toward the coming year:

I long for ...
I hope that ...
I trust ...
I promise ...
I ask ...

Now pause and visualize a messenger of God drawing near to you. This messenger bears a blessing of God for your coming year. Receive the blessing from the messenger. Spend some time in quiet, allowing the blessing to permeate your entire being.

To conclude this reflection, write a short prayer in your journal or on a paper that you will keep and refer to each month on the date of your birthday (e.g., if your birthday is the tenth of May, on the tenth of each month you would read your birthday prayer and remember the blessing that was given to you). Now go and celebrate!

"A Birthday Reflection" taken from Out of the Ordinary: Prayers, Poems and Reflections for Every Season, by Joyce Rupp Copyright 2000. Used by permission of Ave Maria Press. All rights reserved.

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I just celebrated b'day #66.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Jul. 19, 2010.

I just celebrated b'day #66. Thank you for this timely reflection and suggestion for my new year ahead.

What timing! I celebrate my

Submitted by Donn (not verified) on Jul. 19, 2010.

What timing! I celebrate my birthday tomorrow ... thanks!

Perfect timing. A classmate

Submitted by Kathy B. (not verified) on Jul. 20, 2010.

Perfect timing. A classmate and friend is bringing treats for her birthday to Thursday's class. I will send her this.

Joyce, a lovely way to cap a

Submitted by Z (not verified) on Jul. 21, 2010.

Joyce, a lovely way to cap a week's worth of celebration for the birthday we share... i delight in sharing it with Dominican sisters and brothers...

This is too confusing for

Submitted by Margaret Maloney (not verified) on Dec. 27, 2010.

This is too confusing for me!!!!!!!!

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