Temperature was surprisingly not as cold for a winter day, it’s 12 degrees according to my phone. After the morning routine, I saw my birthday present on the dining table, all nicely wrapped up in red, I like the colour. I did not open it, decided I would wait for the family to come back and we shall open my present together.
The sun was out, blazing bright, prompted me to grab my laptop, my book, put on my jacket and just blindly head out. I landed myself in a lovely café, located at a corner of a building block and what do you know… they provide free wi-fi, which is not a common thing in Melbourne. Believe me, I’ve never been to this café.
After placing my order for a pampering birthday latté, I checked my phone and counted that I received 17 birthday wishes thus far. It’s a good feeling to know that people remember your special day, though facebook may have played a crucial role in this. I never discount them though, because a simple gesture like this requires effort, and effort dedicated to anyone ought to be appreciated.
Appreciation, an appropriate word for birthdays. You appreciate that you are alive, you appreciate that you have lived that number of years that you celebrate, but if there is something that I truly appreciate in the last one year, is that I appreciate the lessons that I learned and the knowledge and experience that I’ve gained from them. This would truly be a year that I will never forget.
A year ago today, I was almost on cloud-9. I was witnessing glimpses of a dream coming true, certain plans that I have put in place were in motion, I could picture a pretty good time ahead. However, I am now reminded of a quote by Ray Dalio in his book Principles…
“Virtually things never go according to plan because we don’t plan for the things that go wrong”
Another book which I’ve read too mentioned about a cognitive bias called “planning fallacy”. Anyway, it’s my birthday and I should dwell on something more positive.
One truly positive thing I picked up in the last one year is reading, it has become somewhat of a habit, an addiction, and I would strongly recommend that to you. Reading is fascinating, and I believe it has helped in keeping my mind active, maintaining the health of my grey matter.
In sharing my reading with some friends, I have also discovered who are the people kind enough to dwell into discussions with me on the points I find fascinating, the process too became a quasi social experiment of some sort. A story for another time.
I think I may have sat here too long with just a single latté to accompany me… perhaps it’s time to go.
To anyone who spent time reading this entirely, a very big thank you to you and while you would’ve sent me a birthday wish…. I too wish you a brilliant and wonderful year ahead… whoever you are.
P/S: At the end of writing this piece, 9 more wishes have arrived… I feel blessed.
