‘Make a wish’ - The power of birthdays
Photos by Arina Krasnkova, Elis Shevchenko, Vlada Karpovich on Pexels.
I’ve always loved my birthday.
As a child, I would look forward to it for months in advance, planning every detail carefully. My parents and sister were very patient. If I had to boil it down, the reason I love birthdays is simple: it’s a day dedicated to me - a day when I get to feel “special” and when I am surrounded by the people who matter most at that point in my life.
Over the years, some of those people have changed for various reasons. Friendships evolve, lifestyles shift, and celebrations take on new forms. At some point, the big gatherings give way to more intimate celebrations (and there is little mental space left for detailed planning). But my family has remained a constant - and that family has expanded to include the one I’ve built myself.
Looking back, I can see how the meaning of birthdays has evolved over the years. During childhood, birthdays meant cake, gifts, and the joy of growing up - blowing those candles and making that wish. Then came the teenage years - still about gifts and wishes, but also about getting closer to independence. Birthdays in the twenties and thirties offer “a special day”, but with the added awareness that time is not unlimited. Wishes transform into dreams.
And now, forties’ birthdays (where I am at) - are still special, but more complex: The body starts to remind you that things change - but there’s also a deep realisation of what truly matters as ‘wishes’ evolve. As we grow older, birthdays become something like a personal New Year’s celebration - a chance to reflect, to look back, and, if we wish, to set new intentions.
Some things I’ve learned about birthdays… so far
If I had to look back - with the power of hindsight - I’ve learned that, contrary to what we are told repeatedly as we grow older (I’m talking about things like: “age doesn’t matter” and “age is just a number”)... age matters. Because only with age comes experience and wisdom, and that is valuable.
What we learned over the years of our existence - through experiences and mistakes - can… should be passed on to our children and younger generations. The importance of that, in the bigger scheme of things, is massive and should never be overlooked. So no, age is not just a number. Age matters… because it brings value.
But - and here’s one of the things I’m working on - age should not limit us. I often catch myself thinking: “I’m too old to try this, change that, or start something new.” But why? It’s never too late to create a happier, more fulfilling life. X’tahsbu?
And thanks to this value that age brought to me, here is some stuff I’d like to share. I’ve listed these points. They came from the heart - in fact, many were shared over the years through different articles. Then (with some help from AI) I turned them into an acronym that makes soooo much sense to me because it truly encompasses that I’ve learned life should be all about... living whole-heartedly... living fully and authentically. It’s a realisation that comes with time, and it takes even more time to live up to it (works in progress here). Here it comes.
Live life: Whole-Hearted
W - Walk your own path. Each life is unique, and comparison serves little purpose.
H - Health first. Look after your health. Make sure to treat your body and mind with kindness and respect. Don’t expect too much from them and remember that rushing is not always the best way - the journey matters. Ah yes… and don’t believe everything you see or read… It’s bad for your mental health.
O - Own your worth. Whether as a woman, a parent, or simply as yourself - you are enough. The people out there who seem perfect in your eyes are not. Because there’s no such thing. You are perfectly you… in human form.
L - Live with joy. Embrace joy in simple acts. Wear the red lipstick. Listen to music (which serves as modern-day poetry, transmitting messages and emotions with timeless power). Watch that sun rise. Find the glimmers of life. Slow down. Look. Absorb. Feel. And enjoy your favourite things.
E - Extend kindness. Ah, this is so, so important. If everyone did this, the world would be heaven on earth. Every person carries unseen struggles. A small act of compassion can make a massive difference. It’s never okay to be mean.
H - Harness insight from your emotions. Emotions are powerful because they speak to us about our deepest truths. So, for example, if you feel envy, it is not a flaw but a signal - pointing you toward an unmet desire or change you may need to pursue. Listen.
E - Express your truth. If something matters to you, articulate it - clearly and respectfully. Even if it takes time, your voice deserves to be heard.
A - Allow no limits. Don’t impose limits on yourself. If something matters, time and resources can be found. Do not hesitate to ask for help.
R - Rely on intuition. The “gut” is not merely instinct - it integrates signals from heart, mind, and body, often perceiving truths logic alone cannot. Listen to it… no matter what others tell you.
T - Treasure independence. Value financial freedom. One thing I’ve learned from the many women I spoke to over the years is that this is a cornerstone of freedom, equality, and self-respect.
E - Explore. Don’t box yourself in. You are more than one thing. So allow yourself to explore new things. Then learn and, if need be - leap.
D - Dream. Allow yourself to dream. You are never too old. Then, be the catalyst and take the steps towards that dream. This might not happen overnight. But one step at a time… you will get there. Make that wish!
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