June 2002

As I write this, my birthday is less than a week away. Now, I know that as an adult, I am suppose to bemoan my birthday, not admit to my age and groan about how awful it is that I am getting older. However, I look at birthdays differently than many people.

First, I am very happy to having a birthday. No, not in the child-like, what-are-my-presents-going-to-be, kind of way. But more by looking at the alternatives. I could be happy to be celebrating another year of life or I could be dead. Yes, a bit blunt, but sometimes we need that bluntness to remind us of what our options really are.

Second, I can remember being in my twenties and looking at people in their 40’s, 50’s and on and envying them their experience and wisdom that they derived from those years. We all learn so much from every year that we are here. We have had so many experiences. Some positive, some awful. But from each we learn. I embrace the years that I have had because of the learning that I have had. I look forward to the years ahead for more learning.

Third, I consider my birthday to be my New Year’s. January 1st is a completely arbitrary date. My year begins and ends on the day of my birth. So this is the day that I look back at where I was a year ago, where I am now, and where I want to be a year from now.

I encourage all of you to celebrate your birth and life, not just on one particular day, but every day! Enjoy the journey.