May Contain Peanuts

Ahh...

I'm feeling a bit older. Yesterday was my birthday and it came and went as easily as any other day. It was a very nice day, a day that reminded me how nice it is to have people who care about you and can share in your happiness. It is also a reminder that time keeps moving and that we are only getting older and older.

Now I am under the philosophy that we are on a limited timescale on our dear planet here and that we should always live life to the fullest. This basis got me into a discussion yesterday about what is so great about birthdays. For most people, one's birthday is a day to celebrate, a day to step back, reflect and enjoy one's self, do things you wouldn't do (or get) on a normal day.

Personally, I have no great affection for my birthday. I love everything and everyone who puts time into making me feel special on my day, but on my own, I really see it as just another day in my life. You can see how this would seem depressing that your one 'special' day goes unappreciated. I don't feel that way at all and I think it has to do with the philosophy spoken above.

If I enjoy each day, love life itself and see the qualities in each day that make that day special, every day can be a birthday. Yes, there's not gifts or cards waiting for you everyday, nor are there a group of friends waiting at the bar with a row of shots ready to be downed (and most likely upped later), but there can still be that internal feeling of enjoyment and satisfaction each and every day.

I have the feeling that this notion is understood by most of us, just not utilized as fully as it could. Sure, we all have shitty days now and again. Shit happens. But we always have the next day and we always have memories of previous times that can lighten any sour time. It's not a guarantee, nor is it always easy to keep optimistic about our own story, but it should be remembered that there are good times ahead, possibly as soon as the next minute, and that each day should be celebrated in its own right as a day of which we are thankful to be alive.

Birthdays are great. You get a day where you are recognized for being alive by others that care about you. The other 364 days are for you to recognize you're alive and to enjoy it.