"Tramps like us, baby we were born to run." 

I'm happy to share a birthday with Bruce Springsteen, which happens to be September 23rd.

In his upcoming autobiography, Born To Run, The Boss talks about what was in his “Rock ‘n Roll Survival Kit: DNA, natural ability, study of craft, development of and devotion to an aesthetic philosophy, naked desire for… fame, love, admiration, attention, women, sex, and oh, yeah… a buck. Then, if you want to take it all the way to the end of the night, a furious fire in the hole that just…don’t…quit…burning.”

The contents of his Rock ‘n Roll survival kit got me thinking. I often take stock around birthday time and this year I'm thinking a lot about what I was born to do. And, out of those musings several truths have bubbled to the surface, various lessons learned over a few decades of life. Most of them I'm continually working and evolving through. Hey, it's what I was born to do. Most are not new ideas, just my spinnings on them, how they have flared up for me and became my truths. They are what I've come to believe.

Thought I'd share a few to mark being born. Let me know if you click with some of them and please add your own in the comments!

Born to Create

I believe the best legacy is a life well lived, in service to others and to a higher calling. Create from that place and it's unstoppable.

I’ve found a structured foundation supports infinite creativity: routine, outlines, scheduled time blocks, consistency.

Make what you love what you do.

I believe wisdom is meant to be shared selflessly - it's part of creation and it's dharma. 

Collaboration in creation is fantastic. It can push your limits and rise you to being a better creator than you ever could be on your own.

I believe a good story can heal, inspire and call to action.

Born to Seek, Learn, Grow

What’s in the way is the way – consciously going through the molasses, quicksand and pain is the way to heal into a better self. It wasn’t until I got this that I finally was able to heal old wounds. From pain to purpose.

We weren’t meant to just survive, but to thrive.

Curiosity opens doors; judgment closes them.

When you mess up, own up.

I have to focus on focusing.

Heed your intuition – my body talks to me as does that little voice that guides me to the yes, no or pause.

Letting go is hard but oh so necessary.

I believe in other realms and that we can learn from them if we pay attention.

Patience is one my wisest guides (I’m working on this one!) – slow down to allow divine timing to take its course. Breathe into patience.

Born to Play                                        

Me at 4 years old

Laughter solidifies a moment. I simply love to laugh. 

Imagination is the playground where genius is born.

In the end, does crossing the finish line first really matter? 

I believe true freedom is to live like there is no finish line.

I believe in making play dates with my writing.

I believe what you can imagine is but a fraction of what's truly possible.

A little losing-track-of-time is good for the spirit. 

Born to Love

True connection is face-to-face, eye-to-eye, hand-to-hand, body-to-body, breath-to-breath. Social media is great for expanding your world, but for me true connection is up close and personal.

I believe your soul mate is a direct reflection of your self-love.

A pet’s love is pure and fills the spaces.

There’s power in Community – the gathering of kindred souls is the key to collectively raising the consciousness of this planet. It's the We that matters. 

I believe in real friendship where you have bad days and your true friends stick by you. I need my girlfriends and my sister on a daily basis!

Use your voice and stay in your light and you and your people with find each other.

Compromise, kindness, tolerance, steadfastness, communication and compassion are key ingredients in relationships.

Being loved and loving is the greatest feeling in the universe.

Born to Be (this is my Born to Run)

A woman is most powerful in her femininity.

A man’s vulnerability is a beautiful and powerful thing.

There’s nothing sexier than a man or woman in their element.

Embrace quietude and self-care – It’s everything: sleep, meditate, pray, journal, sweat and move the body.

I believe I’m at my best in quietude. I’m at my second best surrounded by people I love. A close third is when I'm on a deadline.

Being authentic is all about living, speaking and honoring your truth.

I’m learning to not sugarcoat the truth anymore and that I’m not responsible for how it lands or is perceived, only in how I present it.

To live full out you need to be full in – commitment to each moment builds to a rich and full life.

Be amazing, be true, be transparent, be real, be kind, be bold, be mindful, be wise. 

Be love. Be happy.

I also share my birthday with my Mom. So, I asked her to contribute a few of her own. Her voice is a powerful and loving one in my ether, fiber and being. 

"It’s not worth stewing over the small stuff. Pick your battles.

As I grow older, triggers don't trigger anymore. Acceptance is easier because I understand more.

Consideration for the other person is the most important thing. When they're happy you're happy.

Your dad and I compliment one another, in role, action and word. It’s the secret of a long-lasting marriage (57 years and counting).

And, whoever wins at Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune gets a foot rub." ~ Mom

Thanks, Mom, and Happy Birthday, Tramps like us, baby we were born to be amazing!

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Cindy Yantis is the Thought Changer Blog creator & curator. She is a freelance writer living in Los Angeles. For more info: CindyYantis.com