My 25th

From my 25 years of living, I attempted to write a significant experience from each year of my life. I found it very difficult and nearly impossible, since I can honestly say that I have life-altering experiences weekly (if not daily). In every moment of life, I attempt to apply meaning: what I can learn, and how I can solidify more of who I am and what I want.

I feel extremely lucky to have been bombarded with cards, emails, Facebook messages, voicemail, and text messages with Happy Birthday greetings! You - my friends and family - are the reason I get up in the morning and want to be the best I can be. I used to think that my striving to be a genuine, nice person was based on a naive innocence. However, over the past year (or so), I have realized that being nice and taking others seriously is a way of life, and a very fundamental component to building and keeping relationships. This realization is often reassured by people, quotes, interactions... One of them is a quote recently came across:

Three things in life are important.
The first is to be kind.
The second is to be kind.
And the third is to be kind.


I have luckily been surrounded by a family who feels the same; and I choose to surround myself with others who live by similar philosophies. I hope that I have been kind and have made you happy, just as you have to me. ...What I am really trying to say is that you have all made me who I am today.

Again, thanks for the birthday wishes! Here's to another year....