What do you do when your birthday rolls in?

I had a birthday this month and I had to think about that question.  What do you do when your birthday comes?
As for me, I did some of the same things I've been doing for years now, then to my surprise, I've decided not to do some other things.  What I still do: I reflect a lot about my life.  Where it has been, where it's going, what I like about it, what I don't like, what I want to change through new actions and new habits, those sorts of deep reflections.
My Mom taught me that at an early age and I still do it. Not exactly in those details, but she would sit down with me and, after breaking the piggy bank for all the money earned for good behavior throughout the year, she will give me words of wisdom about life.

I also take it slowly that day just to appreciate all the little pleasant things i.e. friends wishing me a Happy Birthday on Facebook, a bird singing loud in the yard, a clear beautiful sky after many days of rain, ..., otherwise birthdays tend to come with unpleasant surprises.  So, you just fill it with your own pleasant ones.

 Now, what I've stopped doing:  I use to set new goals on my birthday.  I'm now over 50 and I now realize that I'm not going to reach a lot of the goals I set on my birthday.  I set them too high for the challenge and I squeeze some easy ones in-between which I reach. I always end up doing a lot of unpredictable things throughout the year.  So I've decided to simply live life in the moment every day, doing the best I can, with great appreciation, and moving in a certain direction, systematically.

I also use to buy myself a gift on my birthday.  I now find it unnecessary.  If I need something and I have the money for it, then I just go buy it.  If I want something but don't have the money for it, then a birthday should not be an excuse to go in debt.  

  Actually, this has been my greatest eye opening experience this birthday.  Simply going back in reflection and appreciating all the little things that make you happy and that you're grateful for.  If you truly stop and think about it, you'll find a bunch.  For example, your sister-in-law just had a baby girl, your kids love you and are coming to visit (or live with you safely), your wife (or husband) loves you, you're here (wherever you are) and not in Syria or in the path of the approaching wildfires in California.  As for me, I took several birding and camping trips this year and I'm thankful for that. I'm also thankful of the above things especially my children and wife.

On and on, let's just be grateful and appreciative when our birthday comes around.

I have found that life greatest joy and pleasures and in the little and mundane things.  All it takes is an open eye of appreciation.  I've learned to suspend the negativity a long time ago.

 We create our own lives by the things we attract into our life and the things we weed out through daily actions.  In that sense, we can use a birthday moment to reassess things as we move forward.  

Well, your idea of a birthday may be different.  I just shared mine with you and I welcome all comments. In any case, Happy Birthday!