We think birthdays are a big deal. Monumental. Sacred. Really, what could be bigger in your life than the day you were born?! (Okay, the day you die is a big deal, but it doesn’t usually make for a happy party.) Every birthday is a perfect opportunity to celebrate someone, get mushy, and let them know that you’ve been paying attention to what they love. And when it’s your Day of All Days, it’s a divine window in which to be reflective, think highly of yourself, and party hearty.

THIS WEEK: Make birthdays matter.

• Be sure to record the birthdays of your friends, family, and associates in your calendar. With computer-based calendars, you can remind yourself two weeks in advance of someone’s upcoming birthday. With paper calendars, you can write a “Birthdays for the Month” list.
• Make it a practice to find out and acknowledge someone’s birthday. New acquaintances will be totally jazzed that you remembered.
• Always have three or four generic but fabulous birthday cards in your drawer. (And for the record, who’s ever been jazzed by an electronic birthday greeting? Anyone? Not us.) If you really mean Happy Birthday, buy a printed card, write something sweet, and mail it.
• Buy birthday presents when you’re actually inspired, and keep them until the person’s birthday arrives. This saves on pressure-purchases.
• Establish a few standard birthday gifts that you love to give. Gift certificates to an amazing massage therapist, a copy of The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, your homemade lemon loaf, a magazine subscription.
• Birthday greetings are a great way to stay in touch with clients and customers.
• Birthdays last for two weeks: the week leading up to the actual day, and the week after.
• On your birthday: tell everyone (the cab driver, the barista, your teacher) that it’s your birthday. You’ll get free stuff, lots of positive attention, and people will tolerate your “I’m taking it easy today” attitude. Wear something special. Take the day off if you can – at the very least, knock off of work early. Pedicures, holidays, a splurge at the book store – all good. If the previous year was a toughie, scribble out the highlights and burn the page. Chant your name twelve times in the shower. Really, truly, make a wish.

Today is your day of all days… Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.
- Dr. Seuss

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Photo courtesy of AndrewEick