Anyway, on this 28th anniversary of my birth, which officially began at 8:12 this morning, I am reminded that although birthdays are like our own personal holidays (especially for us Christmas babies), each year they should mean more and more.
See, for most people, the excitement fades with each year. For some it is replaced by dread. Many people feel that it's "just another day" and no reason for fanfare or to be treated any differently. Well I say screw that! It is NOT just another day, and you should most definitely be treated exceptionally.
We are all unique, like fingerprints. Our birthdays are reminders that we should be celebrated, and we should celebrate ourselves. Most of us get so caught up in the every-day pressure of cramming 36 hours' worth of life into a 24-hour sized package. We beat ourselves up, we put others first, and we definitely don't take care of ourselves the way we should.
Especially for the ones who feel guilty doing so, birthdays are a time when it's totally appropriate to pamper yourself or do whatever the heck you want - like take off work just to sit around and do nothing. I've heard people ridicule others for taking off work on the day of their birthday. I feel sorry for them! If you want to work on your birthday, that's your prerogative, but I'm not going to sit here and praise your work ethic. If you don't feel like celebrating yourself, then fine. But I hope you'll let your loved ones celebrate you!
Not all birthdays are milestones, and they say "it's all downhill from ___" (insert year). But they're all mile markers. They're all place holders. They're all like bookmarks, reminding us that we're lucky to see another year, to look back on all we've accomplished and all that we still want to do and to give ourselves a clean slate. The day of your birthday is like a free space in Bingo or restarting your computer. You get to unwrap a shiny new year, day 1 of 365, to make a difference and make it count.
Along with being loved and appreciated, your birthday is an opportunity to love and appreciate where you came from, those who made you, all of the people who care about you, and everything that makes you who you are. People who don't like birthdays are like grinches and scrooges who don't like Christmas, in my opinion. Don't think of it as another year older, think of it as another year more awesome, and more you. Thank all the people who are thankful for you and savor that feeling of being reminded abundantly that the world is a better place with you in it.
Thanks everyone, for remembering me on my birthday. :)
