My Birthday - Another Year
Ξ April 18th, 2008 | → | ∇ Blog |
Yup, its my birthday again. Time to sit and reflect on my life and take an honest look at myself, especially the last year. With my 20 year high school reunion thats just passed, I feel like the years are zipping by like mile markers on the highway, and me .. driving a car with no brakes. So, what’s happened to Biff since last year? Mostly good things. Sure my knees sound like someone snapping bubble wrap, but I generally have good health.
I’m a fairly driven person, and I’m usually not afraid to take chances. When I was younger I had grand plans and aspirations. I felt that I needed incredible degrees of success for happiness. I’ve never acchieved what I’d call “incredible wealth”, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve realized that its not as important as I’d thought it was. Truthfully, I know some very wealthy people. They are generally the managing directors at some large financial institutions. They show up to work every morning the same way that I do. They work all day in the same office as I do, and then they go home in the evening, just as I do too. Perhaps they go home to bigger houses and drive more expensive cars, but generally speaking the “lifestyle” that they lead isn’t that much different them my own. My definition of success has thus changed. Success is no longer having the most toys, but the comfortability living within your own means affords.
Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddah came up with his philosophy around 586 BC
1.) All human life is suffering (dhukka ).
2.) All suffering is caused by human desire, particularly the desire that impermanent things be permanent.
3.) Human suffering can be ended by ending human desire.
4.) Desire can be ended by following the “Eightfold Noble Path”: right understanding, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.
This is the cornerstone to Budhism. It teaches the “Middle Way” or non-excessiveness. Non-excessiveness and trying to be a good person has made me rather happy. I’m not a budhist by any means, but I appreciate the philosophy.
Between now and my next birthday, my plans are to better balance my life by spending more time with family and friends. More weekend trips and vacations, and to get back to taking classes again. I’m happy when I’m in school.
As for celebrating this birthday .. Rosie and I went for massages last night. This evening we’re heading to The Airport Playhouse for a showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show with some friends, and tomorrow, we’re going to the Roller Derby with some other friends and family. I’m completely stoked.
Anywho, let me get going. I have some coding to do.
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