Grace Massoud wrote this article on MTV Website:
Yesterday was my Birthday. It’s always a joyful time for me seeing as I just love to celebrate the special moments. They are one of those things that make life worth living.
It is not the case for all people I’m afraid. The years passing may be a daunting thought for many, casting an aura of sadness and darkness upon this day. They tend to beat themselves up over things they have yet to accomplish, dreams they have yet to realize, missed opportunities that slipped right through their fingers. Worst of all, they might get into the game of comparison with other more accomplished individuals their age. Birthdays bring a magnifying glass on their existence and enhance the ugly and repugnant. Regrettably, we tend to be too hard on ourselves and easily dismissive of all blessings and all we have going for us.
Want to avoid the Birthday Blues? Want to feel better about the years passing and finally be at peace with death looming?
Look no further. I’ve asked five close friends and a new acquaintance for their two cents on the matter. They are all successful, accomplished people in their own right and it’s always insightful and extremely useful to know how someone who’s got it together operates. So let’s just dive right in:
1. “I like to celebrate in a cozy setting. Mainly I prefer to keep it simple. Simple is real”. Jessica H., a multi-talented Senior Writer and Presenter with a prominent media broadcasting company advocates enjoying the simpler things in life to truly feel contentment and satisfaction with what really matters and what is worth relishing
2. Yara F., a highly motivated trailblazer in Major Donor Relations with a global organization dedicated to saving lives, promotes surrounding yourself with the people you love on your Birthday. Not only does she like it to be a happy moment for her but she makes darn certain that everyone around her has a fabulous time. Seeing them exuberant majorly impacts her wellbeing and pleasure
3. Annie B. proclaims,” The whole year I painstakingly ponder how I can better myself and improve as an individual. This day is purely dedicated to enjoying myself and doing things that are true to my nature” What can bring more joy than living in your truth and being fully aware of what makes you feel alive and kicking? Such is the case with this Organization Development Consultant in the information and communication technology industry
4. An Area Manager in North Africa and Levant with a leading provider of open platform video management software, Odette M. firmly believes that looking back on her accomplishments in the previous year, how she evolved and worked on herself, and all the places she's travelled to within that timeframe (and she travels an awful lot), make her feel so good about herself and where she's at on her journey
5. In the words of Elie K., Head of Financial Planning and Analysis with a Fintech regional company, “It is THE perfect opportunity to get that call from someone you’ve lost touch with or you were at odds with. I simply love knowing who truly cares and values my role in their lives”. Surprises jolt new life into us sometimes. Doubly so if it shows how loved we are by certain unexpected individuals
6. According to Rabih S., the GM of a major News website, “I like to gift myself on my Birthday. The present is valuable most times, at others not so much. Furthermore, it is a day to be spent with the people you love most”. Who better to give you a present than your own person? Who knows better what would make you happy? Celebrate yourself in all your awesomeness and congratulate yourself on another year of killing it. Show gratitude for all your admirable qualities
7. Surrounding yourself with the people you care for the most is a recurring theme with all my interviewees. Experiencing the full force of their affection makes you feel valued and seen. Therefore, happy
8. What is your favorite sort of outing? Mark your Birthday in that manner. Dining in a fine restaurant, staying in with your friends and family, dancing your heart out at a club, whatever it is, go do that
9. Receiving thoughtful and elaborate Birthday wishes from friends and family, having them show up for you, is overwhelming and imbues the day with optimism and felicity in the knowledge that you are well loved, appreciated and cared for
10. Don’t give too much importance, too much weight to the number of years. They are insignificant. If you are living well and in your truth, always setting goals for yourself and knocking them out of the park, the number is just a number. Your quality of life will make each year more enjoyable
Follow these steps, walk in confidence, authenticity and gratitude, celebrate the unique moments, and the dread of life passing you by will slowly fade.
TWEET YOUR COMMENT