Turning is never as simple as it sounds.
Turning is something you have to do when you take your driver’s license test. And I learned in driver’s education class (this is the only thing I remember) that you cannot safely turn a car faster than 25 miles per hour. So it’s a slow move.
If someone is “turning a page” in life, they are probably making some sacrifices, maybe trying to forget some past pain or mistake, or simply tired of where they have been.
Turning indicates significant change. Turning off the computer. Turning into someone else. Turning around.
There is a song in the musical Les Miserables that is titled Turning. It’s a song that the women’s chorus sings in rounds. The notes are high and somewhat shrill and you aren’t soothed by the sound. In fact, the song makes me anxious and in context, it is sad and defeated.
I don’t love the sound of turning.
Twirling, on the other hand, has completely different connotations. In my simplest, most honest moments, I often wish I was twirling. Even right now.
Twirling is beautiful. It’s freeing. Just the sound of the word brings a smile. Twirling doesn’t change who you are, I think it releases you to be open to anything.
I think of Kathleen Kelly from You’ve Got Mail. She loved to twirl. And if there is one fictional character that I find myself wishing I knew in real life, it is absolutely Kathleen Kelly.
According to the calendar, I turn thirty this month. My emotions have surprised me and the turn is harder than I expected- maybe something like making a right hand turn in your car going 65 mph.
I’ve watched some friends turn thirty with much grace, almost like a delicate curtsy into a new chapter of life. Yet my turn has looked more like a dead end involving scabbed knees and tears. If I was to use very dramatic wording, I would say it has been awful.
For many-a-reason that I’ll explain if we ever sit down to coffee, I just don’t want to turn.
So I’m choosing to twirl. I am not turning thirty, I’m twirling thirty.
I’m changing my vocabulary because of how it changes my mind. Twirling thirty sounds much more elegant, more free, more beautiful. I know it sounds kind of silly, but it works with my heart.
So, with a changed outlook and a brighter attitude, I am twirling thirty years old.
I purchased a cornflower blue dress for my birthday party. It has pockets with white embroidery and delicate white stitching across the bodice. It’s knee length with a sweet A-line that falls in just the right way. It feels soft and mature and lovely.
It’s perfect for twirling.
Leave a Comment
Cindy in PA says
Oh Annie, I love this post!
My daughter has been in the color guard of her high school and (currently) college marching bands. She gets annoyed when people say “twirling” instead of “spinning” when she’s on the field with her flag(s).
I have been thinking of myself as “spinning” toward my 50th birthday next year. And now, thanks to you…I will imagine myself “twirling” toward it. Lovely!
Brianna says
What a great word picture! I will “hit” 39 at my next birthday. But now I want to twirl there. 🙂
Holley Gerth says
Annie, you so twirl through life–giving us all more joy, laughter, and love along the way. Life and her years look lovely on you, girl. So glad we get to celebrate YOU and share the journey together. Can’t wait to see you again so I can hug you properly!
Kathleen Overby says
Lovely
Pamela says
I love, love, love this. As I approach a larger number, I will remember this. FYI – 30’s are FABULOUS. You will love them. WELCOME.
Ann Voskamp@Holy Experience says
Happiest of Twirlings, Annie!
You are beautiful all the way around!
Jill says
I absolutely LOVED this post and TOTALLY needed it. I turn 30 in two days…eek! And I too was not handling it as gracefully as possible. Your post this morning was a TOTAL God-wink to me. Thank you, Annie! As I TWIRL 30 on Thursday, I will be thinking of you! :0)
Emily D says
I twirled 30 three days ago…..thank you for this. I love it 🙂 –and don’t you know 30 is the new 20? 😉 Enjoy it!!
Jenny says
Twirl on girl! Thirty was hard for me. I had a little breakdown and went and got my belly-button pierced to help me think I was still young. This year I turn 40… wonder what will happen then 🙂
Pat says
I love your idea of twirling! I felt much the same way when I approached and celebrated my 30th birthday but oh my, the 30’s were wonder*filled!! I’m older and retired now but if I had a do-over, I’d never choose to go back earlier than my 30’s. I hope you find this to be true also.
Have the happiest birthday ever and celebrate BIG!
Kelly @ Love Well says
Happy Twirling, Annie. I can’t imagine anyone who will twirl better than you.
May God pour out grace and loveliness and joy on your birthday.
wanda says
Beautiful!
Happy Twirladay Annie!
God bless you!
PS
30’s not so bad! It’s still very young!
Rebekah says
Just so you know when I first read the word ‘twirling’ I IMMEDIATELY thought of You’ve Got Mail! Kathleen Kelly is probably the fictional character that I most want to be like. I just did my head like she does at the book-party where she gets her drink and Joe has just walked away, when I said her name. That sentence doesn’t make sense, but you know what I’m talking about? Favorite movie.
And if it makes you feel any better judging from the video you posted from your birthday – your twirling into your 30’s was absolutely beautiful. As I’m sure the rest of these years will be 🙂
Kathleen would be proud.
Becky Ramsey says
Happy Birthday, Annie!
What a beautiful post, reminding me to step out on faith and twirl through the scary turns and twists life brings.
Houston says
Twirling Thirty is the perfect way to do it. Happy Birthday Annie!
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
Oh my how good that twirl looks on you! It brings out the sparkle in your eyes, the chuckle in your cheek, the joy in your step. Seeing you twirl today has left us all a little happier I think. All a little more inspired to twirl more, no matter what the ocassion!
Sarah Markley says
TWIRL away girlfriend. LOVE you!!
Laurie Wallin says
Such a fun way to look at making the change to a thing we’re dreading. Personally, the thirties have been my favorite era yet in life. Now that most of my friends and I are mid thirties and beyond, we all agree we’d NEVER go back to the 20s. I love the courage, honesty, and strength that God’s built in my life in this decade. So as you twirl in to a new era, may He fill you with birthday gifts of the incomparably blessed and wonderful kind! Thanks for your fun post!
-Laurie
Resourcing Courageous Moms
http://livingpower.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/mylivingpower
Dionna says
I love it. Words are so powerful with the imagery they lend. I’ll try to remember this next summer when I turn – I mean TWIRL 40. 🙂
Marilyn says
Excellent! May you twirl into each new decade, exactly as Kathleen Kelly would, I am sure! (That’s a great visual, BTW, that scene from the movie.)
Linda says
Happy 30th as you twirl into more of the beauty this decade holds for you. May God amaze you in awe inspiring ways. Blessings as you choose to twirl and live this season with beauty and grace. Your eyes sparkle and shine. Blessings! Wish we could sit and chat.
Kat says
Beautiful…
Melissa May says
LOVE IT!!! Especially as I’m in the middle of my own break-neck turn right now… I think I’ll try to think of it as a twirl instead. : ) When I turned 37 last year I wasn’t happy about it. 36 was such a pretty, even, round number. 37 is so… not. But then after asking God to help me not be so unhappy about it, He reminded me I had just studied Psalm 37 and all of a sudden I was very happy to be turning 37. : ) And now that I think of it again, the turn/twirl I’m in the middle of is exactly giving me the desires of my heart (even if the spin is dizzying!) Thanks for the reminder! Twirl on, girlfriend!!! I’ll be dancing with you…
Megan says
Yes, I agree, turning is often hard while twirling does sound lovely and fun. (And I would love to meet Kathleen Kelly in real life, too!)
But here’s my question… What if the turning is turning to God? Can we twirl to Him? Or is the sacrifice of flesh sometimes going to be hard and slow and painful? Is it possible to turn that hard road into twirling? How do I do that?
Nicole says
Annie this was so well written and from the heart! I am turning 30 on August 4th. I know it’s a number…but there is so much more to it, so much more that I’m feeling.
I love how you looked at it in a different way. It would be so neat to hear more of your perspective. To change my heart about “turning” 30.
Twirling to God at 30…I like that! 🙂
Nicole
simplycreatedbycole(at)gmail(dot)com
Fiona's Mosaic says
THIS I loved!!!! I very much identify with twirling. Such a great concept….
Jacqueline says
As I was reading this, before I got to the ‘twirling’ paragraph, I thought the ‘turning’ was going to be about turning away from sin. In other words, repentance. That’s been in the forefront of my mind as I face the harsh realities/consequences of my sin. I long to obey God, to glorify Him with my thoughts/words/actions. But the turning. The turning away. I struggle so…
Perhaps if I tried twirling away from sin and temptation. Twirling into the arms of my gracious, merciful God.
Sherri says
Awesome, awesome, article! I’m right behind you, twirling 30 next month. : )
Southern Gal says
Love this, Annie. You just twirl.
Christine says
This is absolutely beautiful. So are you, and that dress. And I really wish Kathleen Kelly was a real person – I’m sure you and I would be great friends with her 🙂 Love ya girl! Welcome to the wonderful 30s!
Jenn @ Beautiful Calling says
Oh, my. How beautiful, eloquent and absolutely inspiring.
I twirled thirty not so long ago and wish I had read this then!
Abbie says
This is so good, Annie. Really, really loved it.
Ali says
how beautiful annie! this post makes my heart so happy…such an inspiring way to illustrate how important it is to have the right attitude about life. i will be *twirling* 30 next year and will, no doubt, be reading this post again to remind myself to twirl and not turn 🙂 happy belated birthday!
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