Beyoncé is welcoming the age of her 40 with open arms. On Thursday, the singer, who celebrated her 40th birthday on September 4, published a letter to her fans on her website, reflecting on her personal growth and lessons learned thus far. According to PEOPLE, Beyoncé stated, "This is the first year that I truly understand what it is to be alive and to live in the present."

"It's the first time I've realized how precious life is, how difficult life can be at times, and how vital it is to pause and smell the flowers when things are going well." "I thought I knew it when I was 21, 30, but I didn't," she said. With Destiny's Child teammates Kelly Rowland, LaTavia Roberson, and LaToya Luckett, she released her self-titled debut album in 1998, followed by her first solo album Dangerously in Love in 2003. Beyoncé, on the other hand, feels that as she grows and evolves as a person, she has been able to experience joy on a deeper level than ever before.

"The more mature I become, the more I understand and the deeper my joy grows. There's a freedom and liberation knowing that I've made it to the other side of my sacrifice," the 28-time Grammy winner explained. "I'm finally giving myself permission to enjoy the seeds I've worked so hard to plant my whole life."

Meanwhile, thee star also criticized the outdated notion that life becomes more difficult for women after the age of 40 in her letter. "Whoever tried to persuade women that we are meant to be old and miserable when we hit 40 was completely wrong. "This is the most alive I've ever felt," Beyoncé remarked, adding, "I'm so thrilled to be GROWN, GROWN!"" She also added, "Most of you first met me when I was 15, and we've been friends ever since. You bring so much happiness into my life. I hope my creativity may offer you a little joy in the future "In her ode, Beyoncé came to a conclusion.

"I love you deep," the singer wrote at the end of her letter, repeating the word "deep" 40 times in total. She also sketched a bee.

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