It was my birthday this week, although I admit it might be hard to know which day it was exactly. I like to turn my celebration into the entire month, blowing out as many candles as I possibly can! I feel the same way about family birthdays, why confine them to just one day a year? I remember the year that my brother turned 40. For an entire year, on the same date each month, I noted how many more months he had in his 30’s and teased him relentlessly about his approaching milestone date.

At one point this week, on my actual birthday, someone at work wished me a Happy Birthday and someone else asked if I was still acknowledging birthdays. Now, I may not be willing to talk about what age I have achieved but I am never reluctant to celebrate!

I think that birthdays are days we need to claim, to be grateful for having been born and reflect on all that we have accomplished in our lives. I think birthdays are times to reflect on the year we’ve had and to make plans for the year to come. This isn’t a day that the world is noting, it is not New Year’s or even Ground Hog Day. It is your day, a day to celebrate your uniqueness, a day to revel in just you being you.

I love the birthday cards with both sweet and funny messages. I love the gifts, chosen with care and meaning. I love to hear the “Happy Birthday” song all day long and to pretend that the calories in birthday cake don’t count.

Life is often very serious, our work, our relationships, the state of the world. There is more than enough to occupy our minds with worry, day and night. Take the day of your birthday (or take the month!) and use it as an opportunity to find joy, refresh and renew. Fill your cup and fill your full heart.