When we are kids birthdays are a time of joy, fun, friends, and treats. They make us feel special to be recognized for the day. We can’t wait for the next birthday so that we can finally be older. We want to feel like an adult from the moment we believe everything is better as an adult – believing we can do what we want, when we want, all of the time.
Then we become an adult and realize adulating is hard. Who wants to constantly pay bills, go to work, and take care of themselves (and others perhaps) all of the time? Who knew cooking and cleaning could be so demanding and boring!?!
So as an adult, celebrating a birthday can become a burden. Marking the passing of another year can be emotionally challenging especially if life hasn’t delivered all that you were hoping for.
I propose a new challenge to help make celebrating your birthday fun again. Once you identify yourself as an adult (25, 30, 40, 50, etc.) I challenge you to start this new tradition. In the days leading up to your birthday buy a stranger in your community a meal.
Shortly before my recent birthday, I didn’t feel like cooking so I called a friend hoping we could go out to dinner. When that wasn’t possible, I swung by a local restaurant just south of a college campus and picked up a quick dinner. While waiting in line, mainly with college students, I asked the young lady behind me if students no longer eat on campus. When I was a student, the dining hall was pretty great and anyone who visits SDH knows the food and variety is probably some of the best in the country. Anyway, she said that most students appreciate the dining hall, but do need a change every so often.
While in line she asked me about my life story. She told me about her major, extracurriculars, and internships. We talked about my work in particular and work in general. She shared with me that she was unsure of what she wanted to do in life. This was a great chance for me to impart a little wisdom about selecting a career path and finding meaning and joy in the work one does. Work is more than something to do to pay the bills; it should be a way to feel like we are making a difference in the lives of others and ultimately the world.
In a world filled with young people glued to cell phones who appear to have no idea how to talk to a real person, I was so impressed with this young lady. She took initiative to ask me questions and genuinely cared about the answers. She also really listened to ask pertinent follow-up questions. If more young people can interact and think like this young lady, there is in fact hope for our future.
As I went to pay for my order, I asked to add her order in as well. She was so surprised and appreciative she gave me a hug. It made my day and my almost birthday to be able to make this very small gesture and do something kind for another person in my community.
I have decided that this will become an annual tradition. Within a 2 mile radius of my house, there are three colleges. Make that a 5 mile radius and there are five colleges. Remembering how tight my cash flow was in college, I plan to find a random college student each year and buy him or her a meal. I’m an adult who is in a secure-enough financial place. If I can afford to spread kindness through a meal, why not?
This was the best birthday present I could give myself this year. I challenge you to do the same! #NewBirthdayTradition #PayItForward #TheBirthdayChallenge
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