The Life of M

Maybe, we should abolish birthdays. Don’t get me wrong, I love presents (btw Mom this is what I want for this year) but other than that, I always seem to be in a bad mood on my birthday and I hate it.

Maybe I feel that it’s because on this day, I have to break out of my routine and do something fantastic. The problem with this is that I like my routine; every other day it makes me happy, happier than change does anyway. Maybe my expectations are too high (which happens often) and I think that today, of all days, should be perfect. The problem with this is that there’s nothing magical about the day of my birth; it’s just another day.

Here’s how I was thinking: the day of your birth has been built up to be this big huge thing so that your parents can blow a whole bunch of money trying to make you and a passel of screaming children satisfied. However, all the day is REALLY doing is marking off another year. The thought should not be “I’m eighteen! I’m an adult (by default of law)!”, instead “I’ve somehow managed to survive eighteen years of life. Go me!”

Think about the year in between July 18, 2008 and July 18, 2009. Think about the things you’ve learned. Look at the person you’ve become. Think about the things you were doing exactly one year ago, the problems you faced, how you handled those issues, then laugh at the naivety of your younger self.

The time when you thought you were dying because your world was falling apart, then the exact moment that you looked up and realized you were on the other side; there is an unparalleled sense of relief, accomplishment and the slight stirrings of embarrassment. THAT should be our birthday.

Every milestone that we accomplish that changes our life, whether it’s a realization that you don’t need those shitty friends in your life anyways, or when you reach the lowest point in your history to date and recognize that you are not as invincible or independent as you thought you were.

Like the time when you realize that you don’t need birthdays and presents and cakes and well-wishers to make your day perfect. My birthday is everyday that I happen to take the time to remove my head from my ass and realize that I’ve made it another day and I’m a better person for it.