YOUR RAINFOREST MIND

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My Birthday Is On Election Day, A Full Moon, and An Eclipse; What Does That Say About Me?

It says I am a year older.

Crotchety. Crone-like. Geezer-ish. Persnickety. Post-middle-aged. Powerful. Courageous. Confident. Authentic. Letting my hair run free. Speaking my mind.

It says I am no longer taking things like breathing, walking, hearing, teeth, remembering my friends’ names and where I parked my car, and love, for granted.

It says there is no time to waste thinking I am too sensitive, too dramatic, too introverted, too homebody-ish, or too ethnic-looking.

It says I have an unusual-for-my-age proclivity for minor technological achievements such as Instagram videos.

It says there is still time to fall in love but it’s time to stop dilly-dallying.

It says I can get as much therapy and acupuncture as I want.

It says it does not matter that I have not read many of the books piled on the floor by my sofa in the living room. There is still time.

It says I can be as weird and woo woo as I wanna be and I can stop putting off revealing my hidden secret capacity to channel spiritual songs from distant planets.

It says I need to finish book three sooner than later just in case I start forgetting where I parked my car.

It says I need to be sure to vote for candidates who know climate change is real and who will take action so that all of you dear youngsters and your children will have a safe, sweet, beautiful future, and will be able to celebrate many birthdays to come so that you, too, get to be crotchety and geezer-ish some day.

(Note: But you do not have to wait until you are old(er). You can speak your mind and be powerful, courageous, confident, and authentic right now. OK?)

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To my bloggEEs: How are you ready to be powerful, courageous, confident, and authentic even now? Oh, and please vote if you live in N. America! Much love and gratitude to you. And, if you are curious, I am 71, on November 8, 2022. Eek.

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Author: Paula Prober

I’m a psychotherapist and consultant in private practice based in Eugene, Oregon. I specialize in international consulting with gifted adults and parents of gifted children. I’ve been a teacher and an adjunct instructor at the University of Oregon and a frequent guest presenter at Oregon State University and Pacific University. I’ve written articles on giftedness for the Eugene Register-Guard, the Psychotherapy Networker, Advanced Development Journal and online for psychotherapy dot net, Rebelle Society, Thrive, Introvert Dear, and Highly Sensitive Refuge. My first book, Your Rainforest Mind: A Guide to the Well-Being of Gifted Adults and Youth, is a collection of case studies of gifted clients along with many strategies and resources for gifted adults and teens. My second book, Journey Into Your Rainforest Mind: A Field Guide for Gifted Adults and Teens, Book Lovers, Overthinkers, Geeks, Sensitives, Brainiacs, Intuitives, Procrastinators, and Perfectionists is a collection of my most popular blog posts along with writing exercises for self-exploration and insight.

36 responses to “My Birthday Is On Election Day, A Full Moon, and An Eclipse; What Does That Say About Me?”

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  1. Ian S Avatar
    Ian S

    I’ve been missing these articles since the website redesign as I’ve had to get used to the latest ones no longer appearing on “Home”, so I didn’t discover this article until today. Hopefully I’ll get used to it soon!
    Happy (much belated) birthday Paula, I didn’t realize you were 71, I thought you were still in your sixties! I can sort of relate to your struggles as although I’m only 38, I’m currently in a Meetup group where I hang out with many people who are in their 60s and early 70s, and I can see them no longer taking a number of things for granted, and am trying to make the most of them still being around and in good health and having the abilities they have. My parents are also in their mid-60s.
    For me turning 35 felt especially big. It had pros and cons – it causes a greater sense of urgency which can help combat procrastination, but it can spawn existential crises unless it gets out of control.
    Whatever happens in the future Paula I reckon that with your “rainforest mind” metaphor and your books you’ll have positively impacted a wider range of lives than most other people ever will.

    Reply
    1. pprober Avatar
      pprober

      Oh thank you, Ian. Yes, the website/blog is a bit more complicated as you have to go through a couple steps to get to the posts. If you sign up, the posts will come directly to your email!

      Reply
      1. Ian S Avatar
        Ian S

        Thanks, I must have missed that bit, I’ve signed up now.

        Reply
  2. Sheep’s Wool Avatar
    Sheep’s Wool

    Dear Paula, Happy Birthday ❤️ I wish you a great year. I appreciate you xx

    Reply
  3. J'aime Wells Avatar
    J’aime Wells

    Happy birthday Paula! Mine was Nov. 7, but I had to make my cake a day late, yesterday. Maybe I was celebrating yours by serendipity. 🙂

    Reply
    1. pprober Avatar
      pprober

      Happy birthday, too, J’aime, and thanks for the cake. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Neeraj Avatar
    Neeraj

    This full moon in a part of the world ( south asia and south east asia ) where I am originally from signify the end of four auspicious months….thus harvest is at homes, and sea is calm thus the seasonal long distance trade ( sea and land route) that has been going on since 2-3 millennia or more can restart… festivals that signify this change are common during this time. Thus Monsoon has ended and tropical pleasant winter has started.

    happy birthday to you.

    Reply
    1. pprober Avatar
      pprober

      Thank you for this explanation, Neeraj.

      Reply
  5. Georgia Patrick Avatar
    Georgia Patrick

    Happy birthday, Paula. I’m delighted you showed up at the right time and place in my life. Hmmmm– That seems more powerful than the trifecta because it is election day + the full moon + the eclipse + you. Buckle up for this ride. Plus, with all of that going for you, be sure to buy a PowerBall ticket. Someone not expecting to win will have a few billion dollars when the activity wraps up on this round of financial frenzy.

    Reply
    1. pprober Avatar
      pprober

      Ha! I think I’ll skip on the Powerball, Georgia! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Ewabs Avatar
    Ewabs

    Gefeliciteerd Paula,
    Have a great day.

    Reply
    1. pprober Avatar
      pprober

      🙂

      Reply
  7. Linda Avatar
    Linda

    Happy Solar Return Paula!
    As an astrologer I would say expect a powerful year ahead. I am a few years behind you and my birthday was yesterday so I have also felt the eclipse up close and personal. Having birthdays on an Election Day is routine for us Scorps born in early November. The first time I was able to vote on my birthday was 1984. It did not go well. I hope your birthday goes well for you and the country! I do not think you are geezerlike and I adore your hair. I appreciate your willingness to be you and I agree it gets easier as we age as women. Wish I had started sooner and still sometimes play it a bit safe but not as much anymore.

    Here’s to a great birthday and year ahead for you. Glad you are in my life, <3

    Reply
    1. pprober Avatar
      pprober

      Happy birthday to you, Linda! My last election birthday was 2016…so that did not go well. Hoping for a better outcome this time. Good to hear from you!

      Reply
  8. Clignett Avatar
    Clignett

    Happy Birthday, dear Paula! Many celebrations from the Dutchies, including BeagleoftheDutchies (aka Indie aka Indiesnoops) 🐶🥰!

    Makes me happy to read that it’s all going to be ok! I keep forgetting names (I just rename them with names I think they should have, people and dogs alike 🙈), I have to check my keys every time I leave the house (out loud: “Key check? Key check! Close the door now.”), where I parked my car (luckily Indie knows!), even which car is mine.. ahum.. “no, I’m not stealing your car, this is my car!” … “Oops, wrong car, sorry! Mine is the next one.. so sorry!” (Really.. am I losing my mind?? That the remote didn’t work and the key not turning didn’t give it away??)
    And I’m “only” turning 53 next week! What??? Sigh.. 🤦‍♀️😅

    Anyway, happy birthday!! 🎊🎉🎈🥳

    Reply
    1. pprober Avatar
      pprober

      Ha! Thanks, Clignett.

      Reply
  9. Maureen Helen Avatar
    Maureen Helen

    Happy birthday Paula. Thank you for this lovely celebratory blog. Such fun!

    Reply
    1. pprober Avatar
      pprober

      Thank you Maureen!

      Reply
  10. pecheoiseaux Avatar
    pecheoiseaux

    Thank you and happy day from peach bird land! Since you will be extra powerful tomorrow, please have a chat with your woo/interplanetary sources about not letting the full moon make E-Day too weird, OK?!

    Reply
    1. pprober Avatar
      pprober

      Good idea, pecheoiseaux!

      Reply
  11. ArTee Avatar
    ArTee

    You are exactly a year to the day older than my mom, she turns 70 tomorrow! Happy birthday!

    Reply
    1. pprober Avatar
      pprober

      Happy birthday to your mom, ArTee!

      Reply
  12. Maria Avatar
    Maria

    Happy Birthday Paula and thank you for your books and your blog ;))

    Reply
    1. pprober Avatar
      pprober

      You are so welcome, Maria!

      Reply
  13. Rochelleee Avatar
    Rochelleee

    Happiest Birthday to you, dear beautiful friend!!!
    I will definitely be celebrating Rainforest-ness and wild hair all day today in your honor… maybe I’ll even try a little Argentine Tango! Cheers to you and all you do, Paula – thank you for sharing the light of your beautiful, bright flame✨️

    Reply
    1. pprober Avatar
      pprober

      Oh, yes, everyone should celebrate their rainforest-ness! And, yes to the tango! Thank you Rochelleee.

      Reply
  14. Marina Avatar
    Marina

    How sweet, Paula, thank you for your thoughts and encouragement. And yes, let our choices fall on people who care for the future! By the way, I really do admire (and envy!) your beautiful, beautiful curls!

    Reply
    1. pprober Avatar
      pprober

      Thanks, Marina. I do appreciate my curls now. 🙂

      Reply
  15. Sara Cash Avatar
    Sara Cash

    Oh Paula, Trying to scrape myself up off the floor from rolling around laughing. Thank you so much. I can now stride forth today and lose my keys, my car and my mind and be happy about it all!

    Reply
    1. pprober Avatar
      pprober

      Excellent, Sara!! 🙂 That’s my goal!

      Reply
      1. Sara Cash Avatar
        Sara Cash

        I hope your birthday was just the way you wanted it to be!

        Reply
        1. pprober Avatar
          pprober

          Thanks, Sara!

          Reply
  16. hksounds Avatar
    hksounds

    Paula, you are still just a kid. I am a few years ahead of you and I just got back from my solo trip to South Africa. 19 days of safaris in five different regions. Next is Kenya on 1 Dec. We oldies can be goodies! And we don’t let anyone stop us.

    Reply
    1. pprober Avatar
      pprober

      Oh wow, hksounds! That’s wonderful. Thank you. 🙂

      Reply
  17. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    You look beautiful, Paula! An inspiration, you are!!

    Reply
    1. pprober Avatar
      pprober

      Aw, thank you, Nicole.

      Reply
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