Last week, I celebrated another successful trip around the sun, as the calendar ticked “August 8,” marking the day of my birth, and of another year of existence well lived.
Indeed, another year of life lived by my own mind and for my own sake, and for that, I had to celebrate in the most rationally selfish way possible — by reflecting on the meaning of existence, and the small, but important dent I’ve placed in the universe.
That dent comes via this publication, and all of my investment advisory newsletters. It comes via my intellectual projects, such as the Way of the Renaissance Man podcast, and my latest musical venture, the recording of a new collection of songs I’ve composed and performed.
In fact, the way I celebrated my birthday weekend this year was by going into the recording studio and laying down two new tracks, which will be released publicly soon (you’ll be the first to know when and where).
When I told a friend what I was doing on my birthday, he asked me if I had planned it that way. The answer, of course, was yes. I mean, what better way to celebrate the day of your birth than to go into the studio and birth the music that’s deep within you?
Your editor celebrating his birthday at the great 4th Street Recording studio in Santa Monica, CA.
You see, doing what you love, and loving what you do, is the best reason to celebrate. And doing it on the day of your birth just makes the taste of life all that much sweeter.
Now, interestingly, this celebratory occasion got me thinking about one aspect of life that, if I could, I would love to change. You see, why do we just celebrate someone’s existence on the anniversary of their birth? Why don’t we choose to live every day as if it was everyone’s birthday?
Of course, I realize that if every day was cause for a birthday celebration, then the unique occasion would inevitably blend into the norm, and that the meaning and special nature of the day would be lost.
Yet, what if we can use the feelings of goodwill and love and the celebratory mood of the birthday occasion as a sort of meme that can reorient our disposition toward others every day?
Think about how you feel when you give someone a birthday gift (or when you give yourself a birthday gift the way I did this year), and when they smile back at you with gratitude, warmth and affection. That’s just about the best feeling one can have, and the best thing about that feeling is it’s open to all of us right at this moment, if we choose it.
To prove this point, I challenge you to do a little experiment.
Pause for a moment, close your eyes and try to recall a time when you gave someone a birthday present, and they looked back at you with eyes that involuntarily divulged profound happiness.
Now look within yourself at how you feel right now, this moment.
I suspect you’ve already felt a wave of happiness wash over your spirit (see, I told you I could prove it to you).
The next step is to take that feeling you have and harness it toward the people that matter most to you, and not just in theory, but right at this moment.
Here, I challenge you to do another little experiment.
Think of someone that matters to you (husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, child, grandchild, co-worker, friend, neighbor, etc.). Now pretend that it’s their birthday, and that you are going to greet them with a “happy birthday” disposition.
I suspect negative thoughts such as anger, fear, jealousy, envy, etc. are not part of that happy birthday disposition. Rather, I suspect that positive thoughts such as gratitude, joy, delight and pleasure now animate your spirit.
Now, take that duly animated spirit and contact one of those people right now and wish them a great day. Heck, why not even wish them an early happy birthday? I mean, even if their birthday just passed, the way mine did, there will likely be another one in no more than 364 days.
So, today, I challenge you to channel that positive disposition that comes with celebratory well-wishes and go out and make every day someone’s birthday.
And if today happens to be that special someone’s birthday, then make sure you treat that person with the love and kindness they deserve. Because in addition to making them feel great, you will make yourself feel equally great — and that’s a present you can give yourself any moment you want.
*****************************************************************
My Favorite Birthday Wish
“Everybody has birthdays. You just wear yours better than most!”
–A friend who shall remain nameless
I received a lot of birthday wishes last week, but this one was my favorite. Yes, I know the old bromide, “age is just a number.” But what’s really more important is how you wear your age. I wear it with pride, and you should, too. After all, you are here, right now, and reading this in full focus. And that is a gift to be cherished and celebrated.
Wisdom about money, investing and life can be found anywhere. If you have a good quote that you’d like me to share with your fellow readers, send it to me, along with any comments, questions and suggestions you have about my newsletters, seminars or anything else. Click here to ask Jim.
P.S.: A new AI technology called the AI Master Key just emerged on the market. Could it be the next big money-making tech for 2024 and beyond?
In the name of the best within us,
Jim Woods
