I’m writing this from a hotel room in Las Vegas after having a fantastic dinner with my honey. Birthday week has been pretty amazing, I have to say.

I’ll admit I was a little panicky the weeks leading up to 40, smacked with the reality that 20 was a long time ago and there are a lot of things I should have achieved by now. I still think about those things, but a few days ago a friend said something that put things in perspective.

He said that the Chinese have a saying for each major age milestone; basically, at 30 you’re independent but at 40 you realize what’s important.

So true!

I absolutely have goals and dreams. But generally I no longer think that achievements by deadlines translate to success or happiness.

So what’s important to me? The people who love me and my relationships with them. Yes, most people will say that. But I think that when you truly believe that being a good loving daughter, sister, girlfriend, friend, etc. is what makes you wonderful, that’s success.

Thank you all for the birthday wishes!