As I rolled over and opened my eyes a couple of days back, it took me a few moments to confirm what day of the week it was then to realize that it was my birthday.
I awoke with an instinctual introspection, a regular occurrence, and filled with gratitude because I had been gifted with another day.
And no day is just another day.
Each one is another opportunity to live, laugh, and love.
Another opportunity to face challenges and solve problems.
Another opportunity to simply breathe and try again.
There was no better gift that I could have awoken to then slowly unwrap over the course of the hours that followed.
There are those who long for fancy presents and big celebrations. There are those who dread birthdays, filled with angst because they’re getting older. But what a blessing! As the saying goes, ‘don’t regret growing older. Many are denied the privilege.’ You opened your eyes that morning. You woke up. The rest is up to you.
Sadness, disappointment, and hurt is inevitable in this life. Some lives look spectacular on the surface, yet may be filled with loneliness, sorrow, or regret. Other lives appear rather ordinary at first glance, and possibly dull to the casual observer, yet may be filled with contentment, peace, and joy.
Birthdays, for me, are an opportunity to reflect – to look back, to assess the now, and set goals for the future.
When we make time to consciously contemplate, we often find that we have much more to be grateful for than we realize, and that each of us has the ability to choose how we react to where we are at any given stage in life.
If we are unhappy, it’s often because we focus on what we don’t have, rather than what we do. We look toward tomorrow, or look back on yesterday through a nostalgic lens, not fully invested in, or appreciating, the present – our gift of today.
What a special day I had and it wasn’t because of a grand celebration or tangible gifts. It was the result of introspection, connection, and gratitude – along with a cup of hot green tea with a touch of honey and the scent of eucalyptus.
It was the hour I spent with a dear friend and mentor, candidly talking about life and its many lessons.
It was stepping away from a whirlwind of responsibilities and focusing only on those that were a must.
It was turning off the noise in my mind and tuning out the world while listening to my heart and seeking divine guidance.
It was looking back on where I’d been, looking now at where I am, and feeling satisfied about not only where, but who I am today: Grateful, happy, thankful, and appreciative.
I’m grateful for the meaningful friendships that enrich my life, and maybe even more grateful for the superficial and one-sided ones that have ceased to exist.
I’m happy to have loved and lost, loved and been loved, tried and failed, tried and succeeded, and thankful for the lessons learned from each experience.
I’m appreciative of who I am today because it was hard earned, fraught with obstacles, and not an easy path to travel.
So this year on your birthday, don’t count the years – count your blessings. Only then will you be able to genuinely celebrate.
