With Mirth Laughter Let Old Wrinkles Come

I’m sure that when everyone was a child, we all had birthdays that were full of excitement, anticipation, and presents. We all used to count down the months; the days and even those last few hours until the clock struck 12 and we turned yet another year older. But now that were older, birthdays are feared or we even try to forget that they exist.

When we were younger we used to fantasise about what our lives would be like when we turned 18 or even 21. We used to envision where we would be living; who our friends will be; who we would be dating, and even what type of jobs we would have. Surprisingly enough though, our childhood wishes don’t always pan out the way we wanted. We lose contact with childhood friends. Our plans for our future change. Our whole perception of life changes.

I turned 23 yesterday. It's not a major milestone on the list of special birthdays. I had my last milestone two years ago, and I’m another seven years away from my next one. I can remember how I thought my life would play out when I was a kid. I used to think that turning 18 or even 21 was a million years away, and that I would never get there - yet sure enough, those birthdays came and went. I may not be where I wanted to be financially or have my dream job, however I achieved all of my personal wishes. I have an amazing boyfriend; we live on our own in a apartment with the prospect of getting engaged sometime in the near future. I have a university degree completed, and I’ve almost completed a honours degree too.

Therefore, why do I still dread my birthday?

I treated yesterday like any other day. It started off like every other day. I got up. I went to the gym, and I went to work. The only thing that was different was that I got to open presents and cards just after I woke up. I went to dinner with my boyfriend and his family where I received more beautiful presents, and I got to talk to my parents who are in a different state - however I didn’t feel like celebrating.

I’m not sure if its because I’ve lost my childhood innocence, or whether I’ve just lost the sprit of what birthdays are all about. I don’t know why, but I just didn’t feel like celebrating my birthday. That actually made me sad.

What are birthdays meant to mean as we get older?

Are they to celebrate what we have done, and/or what we want to do?
Are they all just milestones in which we mentally check off things on our checklist for life?

I may feel differently when I am luckily enough to have children of my own; when I get to see them become intoxicated with the excitement of a birthday. When I get to buy them presents that only a parent would buy, even though you know you will regret it later. But until then I just think of my birthday as being like every other day. Could this also be because I still have mundane things to do, like go to work and clean up around the house? Or is it because of something else? I don’t know. What do you all think?

“With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.” - William Shakespeare

Learning’s:





#life
#life_skills
#mind
#attitude
#happiness
#gratitude
#acceptance
#birthdays

%selfavenue