Birthdays...

                                                                     Birthdays...


     Birthdays provide each of us with a built-in opportunity to reflect on our past, present and future. They are like stepping stones on our journey through life, giving us a reason to consider where we have been, and what we have learned. Then to take this self-knowledge and look at our life in the present, and ask ourselves why are we doing what we are doing. Birthdays also shine a light onto the future, and cause us to question where we are headed. 

     Recently I came across an article about birthdays, and the author shared his bucket list of things he wanted to do before he died. I read the article with interest, but found that I had difficulty connecting with this authors' bucket list. That is o.k., but it made me realize that everyone has a different set of priorities...even when faced with the thought of death. Birthdays can remind us of our mortality, but they are also a time to appreciate life, and the tremendous gift that it is. Life is such an awesome treasure. 

    As I get older, I have a deeper awareness of the rapid passage of time. This was brought home to me recently after I met a former co-worker from 32 years ago. My mind tried to flip back to the distant past, and I realized all the pivotal events that have helped to shape and form me over the course of these intervening years. Each one of us is a unique conglomeration of our lived experiences in many ways. Yet, these experiences do not define us, but are an integral part of the complexity of our being. 

~Kathy~