Darci Lang's Attitude Booster: April 2016

Published: Tue, 04/26/16

Celebrate!!
by Darci Lang, Speaker and Author

On my birthday twelve years ago, I was standing on my driveway with my four-year-old and two-year-old playing in the front yard. I was feeling particularly tired from a busy day with my toddlers.

I complained to my neighbour about turning 35 that day. She stopped in her tracks, spun around and said, “Don’t ever complain about a birthday. A birthday is a celebration of life! It is a gift of another year healthy, another year you are alive!” This was coming from a woman who had lost her daughter, husband, and grandson. I stood humbled on that driveway and vowed to never complain about another birthday again.

Last year, I was reminded again of the importance of seeing my birthday through my 90% lens, the gift of another year. I had the honour of working with and speaking on the same stage with Dionne Warner. Have you met this incredible woman? Dionne is an eight-time, cancer survivor and continues to fight for her life. A big part of her message is to celebrate life, celebrate birthdays as they are a gift of another year alive.

My family was so touched by her courageous story that when our son John was asked at school, “Who inspires you the most in your life?” John told the class, “Dionne Warner”. John had a chance to meet Dionne last week as she was honoured with the Regina Citizen of the Year Award.