My 40th Birthday Challenge: Celebrating #my40 Most Influential People

Last Updated on August 15, 2024 by Alicia Michelle

Turning 40 is one of those things that makes you want to spend some time alone.

For some people that means ruminating on thoughts of getting old, regrets over past mistakes, etc.

But that hasn't been my experience.

While it would be easy to slip into this mode, the last few weeks I've found myself instead just overcome with gratitude and joy.

Joy for who I am. Gratitude for all that I've been so privileged to experience thus far in this life.

And most of all, the realization of the power of people.

Specifically, the amazing people that have changed my life (and some who are still continuing to do so). I believe with all of my heart that I am the imperfectly-perfect woman I am today because of their influence.

So when my husband asked me how I wanted to celebrate my 40th birthday, I knew it had to be something where I gave back.

While at first I thought it would be some version of a “40 Acts of Kindness to celebrate my 40 Years” type of thing, that fell through and I believe God has given me something even better.

Something I'm calling “#my 40”.

I've come up with a list of the 40 people that have influenced my life the most (so far). I'm listing them not in the order of importance (because, truly, who can judge that?) but in the order of appearance in my life.

Some of these people I see on a daily basis. Others I've lost contact with and haven't spoken to in years. No matter. I still want to honor them.

And this week, I'll be doing a few fun things this week in honor of that:

• communicating my thanks in some way (letter, message, gift)

• spending time in prayer for each of these people

• hosting a “40-balloon send-off” with the names of each person inside

• tweeting throughout the week little things about #my40 and why I'm grateful

• a special surprise for you one day this week!

I swear, I'm over the moon about this and I can't wait to see all the treasures that will unfold!

I'll be slowly revealing my list throughout the week (you can go here to see them). No names will be posted but you will probably be able to tell who some of the obvious ones are.

As for your part, if you'd like to celebrate with me, I'd be most blessed if you would do this simple thing:

Find at least 5 people who have influenced you the most and tell them about it.

It doesn't have to be fancy. You don't have to spend a lot of time or money doing it. Just do it, and encourage others to do it too.

[Tweet “Find 5 people who have influenced you the most and tell them about it. #my40 http://wp.me/p4R9E2-15X”]

Because I'm convinced that we become who we are because of the people we surround ourselves with. And if you believe that there's even a smidge of greatness inside you (and I suspect that this smidge is actually a huge helping of greatness), then you probably have a few people to thank too.

I'm grateful for you too, friends, and am humbled and overjoyed by the OPPORTUNITY of this 40th birthday to shout my gratitude to the world.

With love, celebration and joy,