Birthdays are a special day in the year.. They remind us that we’re a year older and simultaneously show us how far we’ve come.. They are a great reason to celebrate and to let the people you care about how much they mean to you and how much you appreciate them!
There are people who don’t get excited
about birthdays at all and say it’s just another ordinary day.. there are
people who blow the candles.. cut the cake.. maybe have a drink with their
friends and that’s it.. and then.. there are people like me.. Actually I don’t
know anyone who celebrates birthdays the way I do so let me say.. and.. there’s
ME!!
To me, a birthday is a day I really look
forward to! There is a seemingly unending cascade of calls and messages..
cakes.. food.. drinks.. wishes.. bonhomie.. jokes.. laughter and love.. MOST
importantly.. it’s a day when even my least expressive friends make the truly
Herculean effort to express their feelings when they wish me! How humbling and
touching is it when people who would otherwise make do with a simple “happy
birthday” actually SEARCH for the perfect physical card or e-card or quote that
says what they want to.. but think they can’t?!
Who doesn’t like feeling super special important
cherished loved and on top of the world for an entire day? What a joyful
feeling it is to receive loving messages wishes and blessings.. and ever since
I have stopped gifting.. the birthday wishes have become EVEN more precious! While
it’s great to be on Cloud 9 all day long.. it’s always a good time to
introspect about it as well.. am just sharing my early morning reflections of
the 25th..
When my eyes opened on the birthday
morning.. it was almost like God was telling me “Be happy and celebrate.. you
are a very special and unique person! Today is the day you were brought into
this world to be a blessing and an inspiration to the people around you!” Being
a blessing AND an inspiration? That’s a tall order for sure.. and then again..
maybe not SO difficult to do after all.. Essentially it means try and be the
best version of myself that I possibly can!
My birthday every year starts with a
beautiful BIG bouquet of flowers given by my devoted and loving staff Kishore
and Savita – it always has lilliams carnations and the Thai purple orchids
because those are among my favourite flowers! They also make sure a favourite
breakfast is ready for me! It’s also the one day in the year that they get OUT
of their usual “Tom & Jerry mode” and behave in an exemplary manner for a
change! They go all out to cook a veritable lunch feast for my core group of
special friends that I cannot imagine my life without! The pampering goes on
all day long..
It strikes me that it is SO easy to be
good when we are happy.. so why not decide to be happy (and by default.. good)
all the time? Everyone reading this blog is blessed enough to have food on the
table.. clothes on the body.. some good friends.. a caring family.. a decent
education.. money in the bank.. and something interesting to do in life.. that’s
a LOT to be grateful for right?
I have been called a blessing and an
inspiration (which I don’t really take seriously.. people tend to exaggerate kindness)
and would like to celebrate my birthday here by sharing a few of my birthday
(and life) beliefs here..
First and foremost, if you are blessed
with abundance, you are morally and ethically bound to share it with those less
fortunate.. Give.. give.. and give some more.. We live in a country that makes
it so EASY to do this.. give things of course.. but give attention.. affection
time.. and.. give of yourself.. Identify your special gifts and qualities and
reach out and do something for others using them.. it is SUCH a rewarding
experience!
Keep an eye firmly focused on your spiritual
path.. make sure that you read inspirational books.. read articles.. talk to
wise people who are firmly on the spiritual path and let them guide you.. This
is imperative since it’s the only thing that will sustain your soul and keep it
bright shiny and happy!
Practise gratitude actively and keep
your faith strong.. these are things that multiply a great deal when you keep
them at the forefront of your head and heart! They don’t cost anything except
being aware and conscious about all the magical gifts that life and destiny
bring us – friendship camaraderie understanding companionship success travel
challenges acceptance comfort health happiness laughter and love! And as far as
possible.. be KIND.. In the words of Henry James “Three things in human life
are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third
is to be kind.”
My eyes are welling up with tears as I
write this blog.. just with sheer gratitude for the people things opportunities
freedom and blessings I am abundantly blessed with.. Thank you all.. for
reading this blog.. “celebrating” my birthday with me.. and for being such an
important person in my life..
Wishing each and every one of you a
blessed birthday!
As always.. with much love coming your
way..
Yes important day for all of us. As we than everyone in our life for being there and also to Almighty blessing us with life, health and lovely people around us.
ReplyDeleteYes you are a very special and unique personality I ever met ❤ and I am lucky to have you
ReplyDeleteYour blog penned from your heart is an eye opener for many who think birthdays are about basking in self glorification. You have always gone that extra mile to bring smile on the faces of all those who otherwise have nothing to smile about. You are indeed blessed to be able to make the difference.
ReplyDeleteTouching, sensitive and beautifully expressed. A true reflection of your inner self!
ReplyDelete