Hello Global Jigsaw Community, I will post on Monday, but today just a thought to get a discussion going around birthdays (mostly because I recently had one!).The Global Jigsaw is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Thanks for all the replies. Here's a parting shot from me: I am just recovering from a year of breast cancer treatments. If anything, this has made me more determined than ever to celebrate my birth. It’s a wonderful thing to have been born and to inhabit this glorious life. It is also finite. So, forget birthdays or even birthweeks. I’m of the mind to begin celebrating birthday years. After all, every day is something to rejoice in. Chin, chin.
Dec 10, 2023·edited Dec 10, 2023Liked by Pallavi Aiyar
I love this question! It divides our family too, though sadly by brother sits solitarily in his #teambirthday corner. I like the handful of birthday calls from specific individuals each year but that's about all I look forward to on my birthday. I'm sensitive to the energies of people around me, and I observe nervously the pressure some folks around me feel to "be nice" on that day, to press down the little snap or challenge or criticism that was on it's way up. It comes out eventually, usually unexpectedly, or stale like a fart held in too long.
In parallel, when it's someone else's birthday, and I feel the heat of expectation, I generally want to step out of the situation, though I hope to evolve past that tendency and learn to happily play on whichever team my birthday friend is in.
All that said, I'm a believer in self-love, and will always hold a place in team #celebrateyourself. On my birthday, I will happily buy myself a gift, take myself to a cafe, and try to soak in the little joys of the day.
I share the 'What's the big deal' attitude towards birthdays. But yes, it serves as a good excuse for others who are looking for an opportunity to celebrate.
On a more serious note, my birth has not changed the world one bit, or made it a happier place. Then why the fuss. I prefer to be indifferent to it.
On a lighter note, for once I hold a differing view bucking the trend of agreeing with you on many of your writings.
My wife is most certainly #teambirthday and I've come to learn that birthday weeks are serious business (and have nothing to do with the temporal understanding of weeks).
Thanks for all the replies. Here's a parting shot from me: I am just recovering from a year of breast cancer treatments. If anything, this has made me more determined than ever to celebrate my birth. It’s a wonderful thing to have been born and to inhabit this glorious life. It is also finite. So, forget birthdays or even birthweeks. I’m of the mind to begin celebrating birthday years. After all, every day is something to rejoice in. Chin, chin.
I love this and would like to wish you and Nico happy birthday. You look wonderful and I trust that you are well.
I love this question! It divides our family too, though sadly by brother sits solitarily in his #teambirthday corner. I like the handful of birthday calls from specific individuals each year but that's about all I look forward to on my birthday. I'm sensitive to the energies of people around me, and I observe nervously the pressure some folks around me feel to "be nice" on that day, to press down the little snap or challenge or criticism that was on it's way up. It comes out eventually, usually unexpectedly, or stale like a fart held in too long.
In parallel, when it's someone else's birthday, and I feel the heat of expectation, I generally want to step out of the situation, though I hope to evolve past that tendency and learn to happily play on whichever team my birthday friend is in.
All that said, I'm a believer in self-love, and will always hold a place in team #celebrateyourself. On my birthday, I will happily buy myself a gift, take myself to a cafe, and try to soak in the little joys of the day.
I share the 'What's the big deal' attitude towards birthdays. But yes, it serves as a good excuse for others who are looking for an opportunity to celebrate.
On a more serious note, my birth has not changed the world one bit, or made it a happier place. Then why the fuss. I prefer to be indifferent to it.
On a lighter note, for once I hold a differing view bucking the trend of agreeing with you on many of your writings.
Dear Pallavi,
as resident contrarian I have no truck with prescribed festivities. Like in love, spontaneity rules.
My wife is most certainly #teambirthday and I've come to learn that birthday weeks are serious business (and have nothing to do with the temporal understanding of weeks).