No matter where you live in the world, a few million people all over the
globe will be sharing their special day with you.

And it is a special day. It is a celebration of the day you were born
– and there is no one else like you in the world. You are unique.

Empowered people look forward to their birthdays – every single one of
them! They look forward to other people's birthdays as well because
it is a way of giving. (Empowered people are givers not takers). Yes,
I admit it, I am one of those people who makes a Big Deal when a friend
or family member's Big Day approaches.

Birthdays are important. You are important. And if you ever doubt
that, consider this: if you ever get lost in the bush, the mountains or
anywhere else for that matter, a horde of strangers would be out looking
for you. Do you think they would be giving up their precious spare time
if they didn't think you were an important human being?

I have met many people during my life who do not celebrate their
birthdays, people who consider the day to be just like any other day in
the year – and, without exception, each of those people had been
disempowered in some way. They didn't believe they were important
enough for the day to have any special meaning.

How do you feel when your birthday is approaching? Do you look forward
to it with glee? Or do you wish you could open your eyes and find
you'd slept for more than twenty-four hours?

When it's my birthday I always treat myself. And I do that by not
going to work. Whenever I've been on contract or temp assignments, I
have made it clear that I would not be working on whatever day my
birthday occurred. When I owned my first business, each of my staff
members were given their birthdays off so they could celebrate in any
way they liked. No one should have to go to work on their birthday!

An empowered person knows that downtime is especially important for the
soul and a birthday is a perfect day to experience it … and indulge!
What is an indulgence for you? Having a lay-in? Taking a long bubble
bath? Perhaps it is a time for you to catch up on a book you've been
meaning to read …. or going to the cinema to see the latest movie …
or shopping … or … I'm sure you get the general idea. You should
do whatever it is that makes you happy.

Of course, the trick to enjoying the day is not to feel guilty about
taking the day off from whatever your normal day happens to expect of
you. Like I said, you are important, so you are entitled to one day in
a year when you can do something nice for yourself.

I'm sure there are a number of people who rely on you – children,
partners, family members, for example – and I'm also sure you do
nice things for them. Consider yourself one of them just for the day,
and you won't feel guilty at all!

Living an empowered life requires you to spend time in reflection,
preferably throughout the year. You could, however, be empowered once a
year if you treat yourself on your birthday.

So when your next birth day comes around ….. Enjoy!

About the author: Barbara Rose is a mentor, coach, teacher and
alternative therapist who specializes in helping people reach their
potential at all levels (spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical).
Please visit www.barbaras-library.com for a complete list of Barbara's
articles and books. To find out more about Barbara please go to
www.barbara-rose.name.