I just ‘not celebrated’ my birthday a month ago and it’s been an incredible first month into my ‘Great Year Ahead’.
Like most parents, mine too organized this grand 1st-year birthday party for me. We’ve had numerous birthday parties ever since.
In my late teens, I started to lose interest in making my birthday one big deal. I couldn’t understand why back then, but I do now.
“We age not by years but by stories.”
Having worked in NGOs during the pandemic, my entire outlook on life has shifted.
I’ve seen people not have food to eat on a daily basis,
I’ve seen people not have money to pay medical expenses to save their dear ones
I’ve seen people lose their jobs in a flash.
I’ve seen children becoming orphans in a matter of a few hours.
I’ve seen what it means to live in the utmost poverty.
I’ve seen parents take their children out of school as they cannot afford to pay the fees.
I’ve seen people work around the clock just to help out in any way possible and feel absolutely helpless.
I’ve seen people spend their entire life savings to just help people get basic amenities.
I’ve seen the poorest of the poor coming forward to be able to be of some use at the time of crisis as they believed that if they think of just themselves and their family now, their entire existence will be a waste.
I’ve seen people lose sleep over thinking about how they are going to make ends meet.
There are millions of people out there who cannot afford to eat two square meals a day and spending thousands of rupees on throwing a party didn’t make sense to me. I’m a tiny speck in the Universe and I believe there’s no reason for me a throw a party about me just turning a year older.
On a side note, I’ve always got super excited about my loved ones’ birthdays and made one big deal of it and everyone’s like ‘Bro, you’re literally more excited about my birthday than I am.’ I guess it’s my love language as I know how much you guys love to celebrate your birthdays!
To the ones who absolutely love celebrating birthdays in their own unique way, I have nothing against you and would love to be a part of it. Everyone’s love language is different, and it’s the differences that make our lives richer!
I recently asked a close friend what he/she wanted as a birthday gift and he/she told me to make another person’s day better on his/her birthday. I was mind blown.
Watch this beautiful concept on birthdays by Sudha Murthy.
YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMWsn5mD9vE