Birthdays are special to all of us. We celebrate them in different ways: some with excitement, while others with quiet reflection. As we grow older, our feelings around birthdays can change. While children look forward to turning a certain age to achieve something, adults sometimes feel anxious, wondering what the next year might bring.
May is my birthday month. As I reflected on it, something struck me: I don’t remember the day I was born. None of us does. But I can picture myself as a tiny, helpless baby, completely dependent on others. Unlike many animals who can walk or fend for themselves shortly after birth, we humans arrive in this world utterly vulnerable.
And yet, over time, we gain so much. When we were born, we had nothing: no knowledge, no possessions, not even a name of our own. Everything we have now has been given to us or earned along the way. Our titles, education, experiences, relationships, and values are additions to our lives, not things we brought with us.
When we look at nature, we don’t see animals falling into despair or ending their lives because of hardship. They live each day as it comes. Therefore, I believe it is always beneficial to have a deeper understanding of life’s experiences and explorations. Life is full of ups and downs, yet the way we choose to view these moments can make all the difference. Perhaps it is not the challenges themselves that break us, but our perspective on them.
Adopting a healthy, hopeful view of life can transform the way we live.
Stay Peaceful – Life can be overwhelming at times, but peace is possible when we pause and remember how far we have already come.
Don’t Worry About Tomorrow – The future is always uncertain, but it doesn’t need to scare us. Each new year and each new season bring their own lessons and gifts.
Be Grateful – Every moment, every relationship, every opportunity is a blessing added to our story.
When we view life through this lens, we discover peace, purpose, and perspective. We begin to live not with fear, but with appreciation. Perhaps that is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for the gift of life, for each new day, each new chance to grow, and every experience that teaches us something.
Enlighten us, Lord, to understand that life is not about loss, but full of meaning. Bless us with a heart full of gratitude, a mind filled with hope, and a spirit that never gives up.
Help us to glorify your name in all the work we do, in all the words we speak and in all the ways we walk. Amen.