Happy (Insert Day Here) to You!

A few weeks ago, my eldest daughter (age 7) asked me why there is a Mother's Day. I told her that it was a special day to celebrate mothers. I explained the same rule applied to Father's Day, Grandparent's Day, Boss's Day, etc. After a pause and an "oh ..." she told me she loved me everyday. Yes, my heart melted a bit. I then went on to explain to her there are some people in the world who need to be reminded via Mother's Day, Father's Day, to take the extra time to tell their mother's they appreciate them because they are so busy in their every day lives they don't remember to do so. The conversation then turned to what she wanted for a snack but she got me thinking. Since today is my 41st birthday I thought it was more than appropriate to write about this topic. Birthdays like other days listed above are days in which we take a little bit of extra time to think of others. Maybe we call them or send them a card but the message is happy (insert day here) to you. Although there is a big commercial push to celebrate these days via brunches, flowers, cards, etc., the truth is we must get back to the more simple reason for these days. They are reminders, especially now with the help of Facebook, we should take a few minutes to remember others. Especially those special people in our lives who mean a lot to us. 

I know there are many people out there who are private about their birthdays or who don't like a lot of fuss or fanfare. Birthdays are just like other days to them.  Well, I am challenging you to change your thoughts. You have the right to a quiet or no fuss day, after all it is your birthday. Where the thoughts need to shift is remembering how important you are to others and that your birthday is important to everyone whose lives you touch. You maybe the first child who made your parents first time parents, or the first girl in the family, the first grandchild, you are a best friend, significant other, coach, good neighbor ... the list goes on and on. Not only are special days like these important because they remind others how special and unique you are, they are important because they should remind you how special and unique you are. 

So essentially these special days serve many purposes. They are a reminder to others to take the time out to tell you how much you mean to them but they really need to make you remember how special and wonderful you are. In the hustle and bustle of life, I think we often forget this. Well beginning today, after reading this blog, I am encouraging you to remember. Remember how valuable you are, remember how important you are, and in your daily life remember how how important others are to you too. Take the time not only to be nice to others and remind them how special they are, take the time to be nice to yourself.

So today, as I celebrate my birthday. I am taking the time to not only celebrate my family and friends but I am taking the time to celebrate you. Thank you for reading this, thank you for supporting me, not just today but all the year through.