New year, new beginnings - it's going to be amazing

Birthday's are usually hard for me. I don't like celebrating much and I certainly don't enjoy being the centre of attention. But this birthday party was extra special. It was the beginning of something new deep inside me.

I woke up to one of my closest friends organizing the most precious of gifts making me feel extra special. A cuddle from the pooch and a walk down to the local cafe for a coffee and a quick birthday selfie.

As I grabbed a taxi into work, I smiled. It could not have started any better. It was brilliant in every way.

Then when I was in the office there was lots of cheer. It has to be because when you have a number of offices and you are the boss, they feel compelled to celebrate with you - or alternatively, they are just such an awesome bunch of kind-hearted people that I am forever thankful to have around me.

I then went into a workshop which was interesting and thought provoking, just like it should be. They were kind too and gave us great cakes and nibbles. 

Afterward, I headed back to the office and of course we celebrated with cake and champagne. It was very special as my staff know I love french champagne and they all made sure that it was there in plenty.

After saying my goodbyes, I headed back to get changed and then went off to the party early. I wanted to catch up with my good friend Jack Cowin before the rowdy crowd arrived. It was really good. Great advice. Laughs about things that very few people know about and in general a really good solid happy birthday.

What makes me particularly happy in this stage in my life is the lack of hangers on. When you are younger, there seems to be so many around. Now, it's just the real friends. 

I see other's get divorced and all of a sudden they are no longer surrounded by real friends, and maybe that's what is extra special about the road that I have gone down.

Each person at my birthday really cares about me and I really care about them. I would be there for them in a time of need. Having been around so many people that are not like that, or are so tight that they won't buy their poor friends a sandwich, I appreciate how solid my friendships are.

Every now and again people sneak in, but they aren't real friends, they are people that pass by. I see it happen so much with my richer friends where there are people that hang on and it amazes me that they need that. That they don't see their real friends as being better company. 

But I am not like that. I will take an old friend any day of the week and as I start a new year, I am going to be celebrating all the way through the year, good people that are kind, generous and lack ego.

What a good way to start the year!