Today is my birthday.
Unlike many who view getting older as depressing and don't want to celebrate, I look forward to mine every year. At some point, many years ago, it might have been in high school, I started celebrating the week of my birthday. Later in my twenties, I decided I would celebrate the whole month. Now this may seem a little over the top, and I don't mean that I have birthday cake and blow out candles every day for the entire month, although that doesn't sound like a bad idea. I'd probably be sick of cake after the first week, but maybe not. I do love me some cake. But I digress. My month long celebration is more about being in the birthday spirit.
I see it as an opportunity to consciously celebrate life. My life. It's very easy for all of us to get caught up in day to day routines and responsibilities, taking life for granted. When my birthday comes around, I reflect on the past and wonder about the future. I think about all of the ways in which I am fortunate. And there are many. I feel gratitude for experiencing great joy along with great sadness. For feeling love, friendship, laughter, anger and frustration. Because all of it adds up to the fact that I am alive, right now, at this point in time, in this great big wonderful, and sometimes horrible, world that we live in. It beats the alternative, which is not physically getting younger. That is not possible.
I do not want to be sixteen again. I had some great teenage years, but there were also some growning pains and plenty of heartbreak, not to mention having to be in chemistry at 7:05 am. Nor do I want to revisit my twenties. Yes, I was young and thought I held the world by a string. But those years transitioning into full fledge adulthood had their tough moments that I would rather not relive. No, I think I'll stay right where I'm at.
Many years ago, when I was young and had my whole life ahead of me, I made a decision to embrace getting older. I usually view the glass as half full. It was a good decision.
Today I turned 42. I think it's going to be a very good year. Because along with getting older, I like to think that I'm becoming better. And I still have the rest of my life ahead of me.
8 comments:
Congratulations! I hope you had a wonderful day yesterday.
LOVE your attitude, Annette! Once again, happy birthday!
That is the CUTEST photo of you! I love your outfit...that little pleated skirt is adorable. Where was it taken? The houses in the background are perfect!
Happy birthday, Annette! What a beautiful post. Your optimism and joy of life is always inspiring, always infectious. (Which is a big ass compliment, not a disease.) Heh. And you have eight more days of partying. Wheee!
Wow - you are a very cool person. I love that you look at it this way. My b-day was last week, and this was the first one I admit I struggled with. But with your fresh perspective in mind, I think it was recent enough to call a do-over and count my blessings. I like you!
Happy b-day month. May birthdays rule. :)
Happy belated birthday! How can you get better when you're already the Best? So glad I got to be a part of one of your celebrations. :)
Happy, happy, happy birthday!!!!!!
Happy Birthday Annette! My birthday week is starting tomorrow, I think I will look at it the same way you look at your birthday week!
Happy Birthday! Your birthday attitude is excellent, and 42 (so far) seems like a great age. Far better than 16 or 21! Hope this year brings you lots of happiness!
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