As my birthday rolls around this year, I’ve been thinking about how people feel about their birthday arriving and whether they treat it like a celebration or not.
I have friends who feel it’s nothing special and prefer to ignore it, others who acknowledge it but don’t like being made a fuss of, and then others who love an excuse to take the day off work and enjoy being spoilt. I’m in the latter category myself, and am also quite good at spoiling myself with lunch or dinner with friends and a little gift (or two!) for myself.
This year I gifted myself my first tattoo! It is the word love in my own handwriting; a blessing on my body.
Most years the day of my birthday often feels a little sparkly and magical.
Occasionally it’s a day that brings things up for me about myself or my life that need looking at. It’s usually a nice day in any case.
I think it’s really important we acknowledge the sacredness of our birth–day.
Yes, literally the day we were born. From an astrological or numerology point of view it’s very significant, but I also feel it’s quite simply a very special day. One worth celebrating. It’s the day you arrived. It’s auspicious, special and sacred.
Celebrating can take many forms of course and doesn’t need to be a fanfare at all. It might mean having a few quiet moments with yourself in nature, making time to do something you really love to do, or spending it with your nearest and dearest. You get to choose, it’s your birthday!
I recall Zen Buddhist Master, Thich Naht Hanh, telling a story once of how tiny the probability is of you (or me) being born. It is so miniscule.
It is a miracle that we’re even here and our life is a privilege.
And as I look around and see people suffering and unwell, I know in my bones that growing old is a privilege too.
We are spiritual beings having a human experience, so celebrate the fact that you were born at all, celebrate the day you arrived, where you’ve got to in your life and who you are being.
Ultimately it’s not about what we’re doing and achieving in our lives, it’s about who we are Becoming.
Happy birthday to you, my friend. I celebrate your presence. (Accidental pun!)
Karen x