It is my life!

A Birthday Reflection

As I sit down to pen down my thoughts on this particular day, I am drawn to the profound realization of how fleeting life truly is. Birthdays have a magical way of prompting us to reflect on the journey we’ve undertaken and the paths we’ve chosen. Today, I want to share with you a reminder, a call to embrace the beauty of life and live each moment to the fullest, for tomorrow is never promised.

The first and longest relationship we have is with ourselves. We tend to go into the rabbit hole of expectations that we force frame in life. But we only owe ourselves the happy space. The colors we paint can be ours; the brushes can be washed if we do not like them. The canvas can be repainted; choose the new designs, colors, and pathways, as every remaining day on Mother Earth is new.

In the tapestry of our lives, there are threads of nostalgia that weave through the fabric of our memories. I’m transported back to the days of youth when we were discovering ourselves with limited financial resources, yet those moments were rich in adventure and spontaneity. Back then, we reveled in the joy of simply being together, creating lasting memories that money couldn’t buy. The excitement of the unknown and the thrill of the journey were our youth’s treasures.

Today, when I see the youth struggle to find their space in the sun, desperately looking for the miracle ladder that will propel them to the top, I want to say, wait, it is the journey that counts. Savor the moments of each success, however small it may seem, and enjoy those moments in the sun. Get off your hedonic treadmill; life is not a race, so inhale deeply and exhale by letting go and being in the present. Before we even realize it, the pictures on the frames of life have changed, and each one is as beautiful as the last. Yet, we must learn to enjoy them.

The few who may know me know that there have been many changes in my life in recent times. And it’s a self-discovery of how we make our life; it is a gift—in small ways compared to how unbelievable the concept of gravity is! Even a slight shift in gravity would make us a melting pot of lava. Similarly, let us appreciate every breath and the miracles of our beautiful bodies.

As we grow older, it’s easy to fall into the trap of complacency, to settle into a routine that feels safe and predictable. The years pass, and sometimes we catch ourselves putting off dreams and aspirations for a ‘more convenient’ time. But let me remind you, the clock is always ticking, and the only time we truly have is now.

Life is an adventure waiting to unfold, and every moment is an opportunity to explore, learn, and grow.

So, as I cut my cake and blow out the candles, it’s my celebration of myself, acknowledging my journey. The highs, the lows, the moments of laughter, the moments of pain. A pat on the back that I managed to keep the smile, to keep my face to the light.

So, here’s to embracing life’s fleeting beauty, living fully in the present, and creating a future that resonates with the echoes of our youthful dreams.

Happy birthday to all of us who choose to make each moment count!

Written by: Dr.(hon) Farhana Vohra