Today is my 33rd birthday, and I usually think of my life on these days; much like how people talk about death after a funeral.
Whenever they roll around I experience my birthday more as a chance for reflection than celebration. To tell the truth, I'm not one for cake and suprises make me uncomfortable. I feel nervous around presents, distrustful of clowns and a simply hate that happy birthday song. For these days are more of a chance to think about what's past and dream about what is to come. To think about my place in the world and in the scope of my short life. Having been a student of early American history, I always think of one particular man when it comes to birthdays. They are worthy words for all.
"This day I completed my 31st year, and conceived that I had, in all human probability, now existed about half the period I am to remain in this sublunary world. I reflected that I had as yet done but little, very little indeed, to further the happiness of the human race, or to advance the information of the succeeding generation. I viewed with regret the many hours I have spent in indolence, and now sorely feel the want of that information which those hours would give had they been judiciously expended. But, since they are past and cannot be recalled, I dash from me the gloomy thought, and resolve in future to redouble my exertions... or, in future, to live for mankind as I have hitherto lived for myself.
Meriwether Lewis, August 17th 1805
Please add a comment
Leave a Reply