@platorepublic,
platorepublic;150493 wrote:I assume lots of people do. Maybe I am wrong.
If I am not half-wrong, then, um, why do people celebrate "Happy Birthday"?
Well, like others have mentioned, I think its mainly a form of well-wishing; a nice large ratio of time elapsed where we can say, "Hey, congratulations!", "Good luck in the coming year" and other nicey-nice intonations like that.
I kinda think this is cool; seeing this thread on my birthday (omg! it was Fated!!).
In the past, I used to purposefully take the time to mentally review what went on in the past year. From about ages 19 to about 35 it was my habit to - on my birthday - go for a long walk alone in the evening during which I'd think about the major events in the last year, evaluate myself "Am I happier?, Am I better off? What are my issues now?" and so on. I've since stopped this, although I think its probably a good practice with likely good results (if not rather embarassingly narcisstic exercise).
Other meanings, or intonations of the "Happy Birthday" wish for me:
- "Glad you made it through!"
- "I'm glad you're still with us"
- "Mark this time, you've gained 'rank'"!
- "I've taken notice enough to say something about this; you mean something to me"
- "I've remembered a milestone in your life"
- etc.
Neat though; this tradition. Harmless and timeless
Thanks