Reflections on Birthdays, Life, and Hope, Embracing Gratitude and Embracing the Finite Moments

Today is my birthday.

For a long time, I haven't had any memories of celebrating my birthday with a meal or cake in the company of others. It seems that whenever this time of year rolls around, either I am abroad or my family and friends are overseas, and our busy lives keep us apart.

Despite this, I have found my own way to mark the occasion by being grateful for my parents, who brought me into this world. I spend the day with a mix of gratitude and a touch of nostalgia, congratulating and comforting myself.

Today, once again, my birthday has arrived on July 21st. Starbucks and various online companies, armed with my data, don't forget to send their birthday wishes.

There are birthday greetings in different languages, like "생일 축하해 (Saeng-il chu-ka-hae)" in Korean and "Happy Birthday" in English. The meanings are the same, but the sounds and characters differ. It's both amusing and intriguing.

生日快乐 (Sheng ri kuai le)

Hartelijk gefeliciteerd

ميلاد سعيد (Eed meelaad saeed)

Su gimimo dienos proga

Alles Gute zum Geburtstag

С днем рождения (S dnem rozhdeniya)

הולדת שמח (Yom huledet sameakh)

Joyeux anniversaire

Wszystkiego najlepszego w dniu urodzin

La multi ani

जन्मदिन मुबारक हो (Janam din ki badhai / Janam din mubarak ho)

Pirannal aasamsakal

Buon compleanno

Feliz cumpleaños

誕生日おめでとう (Tanjoubi omedetou)

Feliz Aniversário

Doğumgünün kutlu olsun

Feliĉan naskiĝtagon

تولدت مبارک

All of this language has the same good intention to wish for the best of their life ahead. 

As I put these thoughts into words, I find myself once again contemplating the cycle of birth and death. Birth is a miraculous event. Guardians may feel anxious, but that anxiety is overcome by a stronger sense of hope. Subconsciously, a feeling of responsibility arises, knowing that one must shoulder the responsibilities of life until death.

Before birth, people rarely think about death. It's as if only birth exists.

Birth and Death is like a gift set with two contrasting sides, like the poles of a magnet. I hope to embrace death with a contented heart, just as we welcome birth with joy.

As I celebrate my birthday, I'm reminded of the importance of cherishing every moment and living life with hope and love. I wish for tomorrow to be even brighter than today, and I hope everyone's life celebrating birthdays is always filled with hope and love too. 

Happy birthday!