23

Yesterday was my 23rd birthday.  I like other people's birthdays; celebrating the fact that someone exists is, I think, a pretty great idea. But I always struggle when it is my birthday because I dislike being the center of attention.  I am learning more and more that I have a tendency to be very self deprecating.

Recently, though, I also have started using my birthday as my own personal New Years.  I don't like new years resolutions.  They always seem so fake; plus why limit your self improvement goals to one day a year? But, on my birthday I like to take inventory a little bit - see where I stand and where I need to work harder.  This year my goal is to be more thoughtful.  It is so easy to get busy and forget to pay attention to people.  I want to make sure I am taking time to care about and for people.  I also want to be more thoughtful in my work.  Most of the time I feel like I'm doing the bare minimum.  I want to think more carefully and critically about what it is I am doing.

I also have been trying to think of my birthday as a time to be grateful for my life and to be grateful for the people in it.  This year I am especially thankful for new friends.  These guys took me out to dinner yesterday to celebrate.  I don't know how I would have made it through this semester with out them!