Mindfulness and Birthdays: Surprising Moments

The first week of May is a big birthday time for my family. My husband's birthday is May 3rd, and my oldest daughter's is May 6th.

This convergence seemed almost too good to be true the week that Taeko was born. We were living in rural Japan, and it was Golden Week, a period of several national holidays that generally coincides with the magnificent display of cherry trees in bloom.

Back in 1986, on May 3rd we celebrated Tom's 23rd birthday. May 5th is Children's Day in Japan, with colorful koi nobori (fish flags) flying from posts in every neighborhood and children participating in greatly anticipated festivities. How perfect that I went into labor on that day of celebration of the joy of childhood.

Taeko was born at 1:00 am on May 6th, and as she settled into my arms and gazed out toward the open window on her first sunny morning, a gentle breeze picked up a few pink cherry petals from the tree right outside and scattered them over her beautiful rosy face.

I will never forget it as long as I live.

As we get older, our birthdays seem to lose their luster. I know many people who prefer to ignore their birthdays altogether.

I understand and respect the shift toward fewer gifts and less hoopla, but I think it is a shame to ignore the opportunity for mindful reflection. We should view birthdays as prized reminders to connect and celebrate.

Sharing your birthday with others becomes less about unwrapping presents and murmuring "You shouldn't have!" and more about laughing with your loved ones about the milestones you've all navigated over the years.

And if we do it right, there's plenty to laugh about, even when we look back on the bumpiest of years. As the old saying goes, having a birthday is better than the alternative!

If your own birthday doesn't inspire you, look forward to the ones celebrated by others. Turn them into an opportunity to play a little birthday mindfulness game.

In the spirit of finding a reason for celebrating reflection, I called an old high school friend on his 45th birthday last month.

He was absolutely dumbfounded. We hadn't talked in over ten years, and our last conversation was a quick hello at a class reunion. But I had always remembered his April 8th birthday, so I made a round of phone calls and tracked him down, reaching him at home as he celebrated quietly with a handful of family and friends.

We had a delightful conversation. It made me wonder why I'd never picked up the phone to call him in all these years. But then, we all know the answer to that--we get busy, and even if we do think of calling, we talk ourselves out of it because it might be, well, weird.

Far from weird, it was heartwarming, affirming, and truly connected us despite the fact that our friendship had faded over 25 years ago. At the end of our call, Scott said, "I will never forget this as long as I live."

What more can anyone ask of a birthday?

Maya Talisman Frost is a mind masseuse in Portland, Oregon. Through her company, Real-World Mindfulness Training, she teaches creative eyes-wide-open alternatives to meditation. To subscribe to her free weekly ezine, the Friday Mind Massage, please visit http://www.MassageYourMind.com.

---

The Toughest Decision of All: Get Out or Get Going!

Many of us are influenced by the sports ethic: Never... Read More

A Reality Practice

Suggested practice to gain freedom from self-limitation.It is suggested that... Read More

Self Confidence : The Importance of Will-Power

The importance of will-power is recognized by most men, yet... Read More

Your Life Story: Whatcha Gonna Do? Write Your Life Story NOW before Its Too Late!

Imagine this scene: Project yourself into the future. You are... Read More

Bold Action: Living in the Moment

Reality show audition...I did it!What an experience, a day and... Read More

What If I Fall Flat On My Face?

I hope you do. Sounds awful, I know. But I... Read More

Right Action & Right Effort: The Keys to Martial Arts Mastery, Keys 3 &4

In the philosophical teachings that form the base for our... Read More

I Should Be Doing... But...?

What a perfect fall Saturday morning, clear sunny blue sky,... Read More

4 Qualities of Highly Successful People

What if you can be, do or have anything you... Read More

Motivation - How to Design a Life

"Have you ever felt like you've become the worst possible... Read More

How to Take Your Stalled Projects to the Finish Line

Q. I have several projects going at once -- but... Read More

7 Steps to a New Life Overseas

Research shows that at any one time more than half... Read More

Do We Have Free Will?

It is being suggested here that we have only one... Read More

Its Not Your Fault

Have you ever wondered what's really holding you back from... Read More

Speed Reading Technique

Four Brilliant Tips to Speed Read Faster than EverMany people,... Read More

How To Create A Dream

All of us have a vision of our own possibility.... Read More

Courage and Fear

Mark Twain once said, "Courage is resistance to fear, mastery... Read More

The Road Less Traveled

Can someone please tell me why it is that men... Read More

Vanity Killed My Car

When I was a freshman in college, my first car... Read More

The Secret Motivation Strategy That Never Fails

No matter how much you want to make your dreams... Read More

10 Things To Do This Summer

Looking for a summer project? How about working on who... Read More

Did You Have A Tough Childhood?

Many claim intense childhood trauma "damages" a person in their... Read More

7 SECRETS To A Great Life

A great life doesn't happen by accident. A great life... Read More

Do It Now!

"At the end of our lives we never regret at... Read More

These Are The Good Ole Days

I am sitting here at a public access wireless location... Read More

One Last Month to Make it Count!

Can you believe it, summer is almost over. Did you... Read More

What Are You Waiting For?

It's the new millenium. Are you ready to finally realize... Read More

Overcoming Limiting Beliefs

It is not just new age hype, studies in the... Read More

Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Recently a person attended one of my goal setting seminars... Read More

Motivation: 5 Powerful Emotions You Can Use

Experiencing strong emotions is not uncommon. What is uncommon is... Read More

Change Your Life For The Better!

Are you still hoping and waiting for someone somewhere to... Read More

Do The Hardest Thing First And The Rest Will Be Easy

Have you ever noticed that in life we almost always... Read More

2 Simple Ways To Cure Procrastination

Curing procrastination is not necessarily about will power or forcefully... Read More