Why celebrate Birth Day ?
By K.Rajib G.
@krajibg (11922)
Guwahati, India
March 10, 2009 7:50am CST
As life starts, it rapidly advances towards the end. Each cyclic year completed is bookmarked with our celebration of BIRTH DAY. I am a bit skeptical about even my own celebration of Birth Day. I just participate as others have fun.
Now knowing that you are one step ahead towards your dooms day with celebration of your birth day why do you make party rather than mourning that your life span has been cut short by yet another year?
Do you still celebrate to escape from the reality or to forget the bare truth?
17 people like this
51 responses
@jazzsue58 (2666)
•
11 Mar 09
I was 50 last year and no, I did not celebrate. What's to celebrate about being menopausal, wrinkly and unable to attract a hunk any more? I went to a jazz gig instead - and got chatted up by 2 rich young hunks who wanted to whisk me off to Dubai. Turned out they were gay, and had chatted me up because I reminded one of them of his mother.
My kids always look after me birthday time. I wish they would just forget it, like I do.
2 people like this
@jazzsue58 (2666)
•
11 Mar 09
I just don't get the point! I KNOW all the things I'd like to have done when I hit 50 - a long weekend spa break, a weekend at London with a show and a good meal, a short cruise ... all with just a few close friends (I include my kids in this!) But no, it was all: "Oh, so you didn't have a party then?" I guess I've got more important things on the horizon. Finding myself an agent and getting my first book published (without having to foot the bill myself) Now, that WOULD be worth celebrating!
I didnt mind about the gay guy/mother connection actually. What did depress me, was I only ever met him the once - and I lost his phone number. Doh!
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
11 Mar 09
Hello , no this is not a way either. You are depressed and therefore you do not celebrate your b day. That making it a big fuss on that particular day is useless is what we need to look at.
Thnks for sharing.
@TLChimes (4822)
• United States
10 Mar 09
My son can show you why. The day he took his first breath meant he beat the odds since he wasn't supposed to make it that far. Each birthday after that shows he's come that much further, beat the odds that much longer. He made it 19 months longer then they thought he would. I can't wait to celebrate each birthday from here on out.
2 people like this
@TLChimes (4822)
• United States
11 Mar 09
My son is 19 months old now. They said he wouldn't live to be born let alone live to a birthday. So each birthday we celebrate is to honor having him for as long as we do. In July we will have had him 2 years longer then the doctors ever thought we would.
If birthdays didn't mean anything before now, they mean everything now. To face losing your child to illness, means you learn to take each day as a gift (even when they act like little monsters) So when you get a year of gifts it's time to celebrate.
2 people like this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
11 Mar 09
I love to celebrate my birthday because yes I am another year older but it's a celebration of the day I was born and that to me is pretty special.
As much as I don't like getting old every birthday I also celebrate how far I have come and the fact that I am still here and I hope for many more to come. Besides who can say no to a party, presents and lots of attention for the day!
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
11 Mar 09
So happy both ways. Not so serious about it. i appreciate this spirit.
@jlamela (4898)
• Philippines
11 Mar 09
I never celebrated my birthday with big party. I just attend the mass, light a candle and treat my friends to simple snacks. I don't like big celebrations, I hate preparing foods or entertaining too many people, so I always make my birthday a simple one.
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
11 Mar 09
Thats like me. I do not see any point as to for what reason I should spend money and feed some pot bellied ones? Rather I would donate some bucks to the charity house. And as about party ok we can had a break anytime.
Thanks for responding.
@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
• United States
11 Mar 09
A dear family friend refers to birthdays as "The Anniversary of your Natal Day". I rather like that endearment. I know there are some religions that do not celebrate holidays, nor birthdays, but I think they are very important to remember.
As a mother I celebrate and remember my children's birthdays because that day is very special to me. It is the day that I helped another soul come into this world to make their physical journey through this life. It is a day that is blessed by the Divine in the essence of creation.
Each year that I celebrate my birthday I celebrate another year of wisdom, of life, and of learning. I'm very happy to be alive and am at peace in the lessons I've learned in this incarnation. For me, I believe in reincarnation and the afterlife so life has no ending. We are but spiritual beings in these mortal cocoons. We emerge as more beautiful butterflies each year, and with each life incarnation.
Namaste dear friend on the anniversary of your natal day. Anora
2 people like this
@timhinyy (1653)
• United States
10 Mar 09
i try to use it as an excuse to get the family together and not think gosh am i really that old now gives us an excuse to go out as a gamily have a nice meal together and have some fun and as i get older i realize you never know how many times you have left to do these things especially with my parents.
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
11 Mar 09
Yes, this could be a fact. an excuse to get together and have a different meal at a different place. But there is nothing holier as though.
Thanks...
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
11 Mar 09
Yes this could be a valid point, that it is an excuse for those who can afford to celebrate this excuse or else it is just the other ordinary day.
Thanks for responding and providing us with a point.
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
11 Mar 09
Hi! it seems you are correct. Its a kinda announcement that you were born on that particular day and have a cup of coffee and forget if possible help the needy one and make your day a meaningful one.
@kerriannc (4279)
• Jamaica
10 Mar 09
I don't see celebrating birthday as you do. To me some persons will make it with a big celebration but if we are humble enough we will also give thanks that we have left to see the beginning of another age. Alot of persons die the day before there birthday but we live to see the day we should always be thankful.
2 people like this
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
11 Mar 09
People differ in opinions. Do not they? That a lot people die the day before their birthday should not mean that I jump in joy that I could get. This is the way of life. Nothing is there to cheer up and if you wish you have festival, meetings and a hell lot of them, but why birth day?
1 person likes this
@chriswolf (360)
• China
10 Mar 09
It really makes sense somehow.
One year ahead is one year towards the dooms day.
Just like me, I pay little attention on my birthday. Only thing I keep in mind is that is the date my mother gave birth to me.
2 people like this
@pickwick (858)
• India
10 Mar 09
Hi krajibg!I think B'Day is celebrated for tiding one more year.I celebrate because I dont know whether I will be there the next year or not.Especially old people when the finish their 60 th and 80 th birthday in India.We celebrate because they have been with us.Moreover all should have a day of their own.When people greet them and make them feel special.I think B'days are best for that.
2 people like this
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
11 Mar 09
Nicely narrated. I do not disagree to your point. But in that case why not make each day my day? May be tomorrow I wont be there? Why is this sentiment only at the the end of the year? Because we need an excuse. Had the year consisted of 550 days instead of 365? What would happen the old who are at their 80 or 90 could breath their last any day. Why to wait for a year? Then lets celebrate their survival each day and ours too.
1 person likes this
@hemantpatil (48)
• India
10 Mar 09
i love to celebrate birthdays.... wether it is my bday or may be its of my friend... you should always think positively... increasing your age means increasing your experience, memories, friends, and lot more things....after all we have to choose your way..
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
14 Mar 09
hi krajibg..i do celebrate my birth date ...coz i want to give thanks for reaching this far...and not on another matter that you had stated above... i live on day to day basis and im just glad that when another year comes im still here..that is all that matters to me..not the future of doom or whatever..but the good health and blessings bestowed on me every year and everyday of my life...
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
11 Mar 09
I never like to be reminded of my age anywehre. So as far as possible I refrain from celebrating my birthdays as every increase of age means we shorten our existing presence in this planet. But I do not waste time worrying what may come with every advancing years. Worry is, like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do but does not take you anywhere! Just take one day at a time and let tomorrow takes care of itself.
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
11 Mar 09
Hi Rajib, the world knows how young you are..by telling it here. You have yet to reach the peak of life where the waters divide. Make the most of your time now to do as much as ever. For once a man reaches sixties, it's uphill, or downhill, all the way. It's only in going uphill that one realises how fast one is going downhill.
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
11 Mar 09
Hizandi! Just this sort of discussion I was looking for. No worry what happens and let tomorrow take its own care and I am there.
A reminder of age after we have entered into our summer would be a kinda pulling you back and pulling the brakes. And you start all afresh. Mere wastage of time and energy I daresay. Now I am almost 37 and in the fullness of life and now on I would feel it bad to be reminded of my age for I know life now on is all downhill and there is no second chance to climb up.
1 person likes this
@oyenkai (4394)
• Philippines
11 Mar 09
You only mourn about a year that has passed if you've regretted how you spent it :D If however you're happy with your life and how you've been making changes all around, then shouldn't you be glad that you were able to live a full year to experience everything that you did? And then you're about to witness yet another year! What a blessing!
Thanks for the response on my discussion!
1 person likes this
@oyenkai (4394)
• Philippines
12 Mar 09
When I have an awful year, I look forward to the next, because I know that it's a chance to get a better chance at life. I wouldn't be as pessimistic as you, thinking that just because a bad year passed, I'd sure have a worse year next! That's despair. And if I were to live in that mind frame, I'd rather not live at all :) And what about celebrating other people's birthdays? What about being happy that they were born? It's the same reason why people celebrate anniversaries of companies - thankful for the time that it was erected and it has provided livelihood for many!
1 person likes this
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
12 Mar 09
Nop! I am not at all pessimistic. That I do not believe in celebration of B'Day does not mean I am one. And as for your version that we should be thankful and happy for this life, when did I implore you to give birth to me?
I am a result of a zygote that formed out of my father's sperm and my mother's egg. And is there anything top cheer about? and still more you never allowed me to celebrate my actual birthday that when my life stated inside my mother's womb.
Do you have still some answers to my questions.
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
11 Mar 09
Yes I can get into your point but why I need my birth day to be attached with my achievement? My stand is if you consider your birthday celebration as a festival do enjoy it but coloring it with God's gift and that you have lived one full year is just a gossip mongers' lecture and nothing better than that I guess.
It the gone by year was fruitful its ok and if it was otherwise, then? What is there to cheer about? That the expectation that the coming year too would be as worst as it was the yesteryear?
Its just useless. anyway thanks a lot for responding.
1 person likes this
@maygodblessu44 (7336)
• India
12 Mar 09
Hello my friend krajibg Ji,
Your observations are very true. But, normally, humans do not accept bad-things to
happen. Birthday is the name given to the date of the anniversary of the day of a
person's birth. People in many cultures celebrate this anniversary. In some languages,
the word for birthday literally translates as "anniversary". Birthdays are
traditionally marked by celebrations including a birthday party or, in some particular
cases, a rite of transition. Many happy returns of the day. May god bless you and have
a great time.
@maygodblessu44 (7336)
• India
12 Mar 09
Hello my friend krajibg Ji,
May God bless you and have a great time.
@lynne3171 (80)
• China
15 Mar 09
My parents have never forget my borthday.
Ever year my mothor always do some delicious food for supper...
Sometimes ...my parents give me a special gift.^^
I love my parents forever...
1 person likes this
@macel19 (202)
• Philippines
13 Mar 09
Just to thank the Lord that He gives you another life and another opportunity.Actually we are not really celebrating one's birthday with a lot of foods and parties. We just go to the church and and thank God for adding a new life. Go back home and have meal together with the family