Aboriginal

Morgan explains that a certain Australian aboriginal tribe celebrates birthdays for a very different reason than that of our typical Western-based culture. Birthdays, to them, are not always celebrated. Birthdays are not an annual cake-eating, ice-cream-tasting, present-exchanging fiesta. They are, however, celebrated if a person has experienced growth and change and improvement over the past year of her life. Because in their culture, through their eyes, that is something worth celebrating.

So this year, on the verge of 23 years, I had to ask myself: Would I be celebrated in their culture? Would I want to celebrate myself?

And I can honestly and happily and thankfully answer: Yes.

Throughout the past year I have learned a great deal. I have completed an undergraduate degree in psychology. I have moved across the sea. I have attempted to learn Spanish. I have failed at Spanish - and I have succeed. I have hurt through the endings of some relationships in my life, and I have healed an unbelievable amount. I have gained strength, self-awareness, and optimism. My appreciation for the mundane at home has increased a thousand-fold. A home with central heating during December, the sweet taste of homemade chocolate cake from Mama, the hugs from my precious little boys that I babysit -- all of these things I miss, and I now, in turn, have a greater love and appreciation for them.

Yet, of course, I have fallen short. I have said too little. I have also said too much. I have worried. I have been too hard on myself -- and on others. I have made mistakes. But it is through these mistakes that we are human, and it is through our faults and imperfections that we grow.

I think I know myself. I think I have grown. But I also think I have a lot to learn. And a lot to work on. I shouldn't compare myself to others so much. I should not worry. I should learn to be content where I am, with what I have, and with who I am with. But although birthdays are for evaluation and honesty, I think they are for something more than that. They are for celebration. And I can joyfully and peacefully say that I am happy to celebrate the passing of my 22nd year of life and the beginning of what I hope and trust to be an even more amazing 23rd one. :)

"They believe that the purpose for the passage of time is to allow a person to become better, wiser, to express more and more of one's beingness. So if you are a better person this year than last, and only you know that for certain, then you call for the party." -- Mutant Message Down Under, Marlo Morgan



A special thank you to Elizabeth for sharing this amazing book with me -- I love you! :)