Today is my birthday! Thank you for all the amazing well-wishes I’ve already received and for any that some of you may still give me! ? I am so grateful to have another wonderful year and to spend it with the people I love, and that now includes you wonderful people who are part of my online family. Whether you regularly read this blog or are new here, I am grateful to every one of you, and a big thank you for visiting and I hope you’ll stick around ? ❤
Just in case you are wondering, blogging is fun because I always imagine my kids growing up & being able to see an online scrapbook of my life. So, if anything, this could potentially be a cool post for my future kid(s) to read.
A birthday is a special time in our lives, especially for children. There are dreams of receiving wonderful gifts or of doing amazing things and a birthday, for most of us as children, is a time when we can look forward to things getting better. As we get older though, it’s often the case that birthdays lose their meaning and many adults pass that special day barely acknowledging it, or in some cases fearing it as it marks another year of age and lack of youth. But how should we feel on our birthdays?
It’s been a year and more ?
This year has been a lot. So many highs and numerous lows, and some lower-lows.
When I think back on what my journey has been in this past year, I don’t look at anything I’ve accomplished as a triumph or a failure. It’s just my life. It was the path taken; and the path chosen. And when I think back, I remember to be grateful for both the good, the bad, and the beautiful. Here are a few highlights of the past year:
- I became a plant parent☘. Got myself two lovely indoor live plants. They are blooming fine.
- I took a full dive into Data Analytics. I shared the story of my transition into Data Analytics from Web Development here.
- Got some major gigs with some local and international firms.
- My registered digital agency – Pickrays Limited, had some major progress.
- Got my hair loc plus a DSLR camera to capture the progression.
- I became a swim instructor. ?♂️
- Set up my portfolio website and also started a youtube channel
- Donated more blood this year than the previous years.
- Let’s not talk about my love-life?♂️
I am celebrating my birthday because my life has value apart from what I have done or not done. I know I am worth celebrating, whether or not I’ve done something significant, special, or great thus far. I have value and dignity and worth.
Today, and the year ahead.
It’s my birthday, drum roll, please! Cue the balloons, and confetti, and have the parade ready to march down the street. I mean, is this what I should expect to happen today? That the clouds will part and the sun’s rays will shine directly down on me to say, “Hello world! It’s Jay’s day!”? No, today isn’t about all that hoopla. Well, there will certainly be cake ?, maybe a few gifts, and some jollification ?.
I like to start the day by giving back. For me, a birthday is a celebration of life and the best way to do that is to share my life with others. So, I start the day by donating my blood at any blood-donating facility for free to be used by any stranger in need of blood (I started this tradition 9 years ago and honored it ever since). Then, gift my mom something special for carrying and delivering this cute boy ?. Next, a visit to an orphanage home. Then a boat cruise, eat-out, swimming, window shopping, movies, long walk, karaoke, the long list goes on and on. Who knows, I might just get breakfast in bed ?♀️ My life is blessed with amazing people full of surprises.
I like to reflect on the past year and make personal goals to achieve for my next birthday.
The year ahead looks promising, and I’m excited for what the year will bring. I’ve got some amazing goals up my sleeves for the year ahead, here are a few:
Master my skills. Get my digital agency (Pickrays) up and running smoothly. Take my camera classes more seriously ?♂️. Do more volunteering. Take more vacations. Get married ? (I mean it). The list is endless.
Here’s a gentle reminder that life is finite and while we are here, we should make the most of it. Do more, love harder, and unapologetically because at the end of the day who knows how much time we’ve got. I’ll be doing my best to appreciate every day from now until then, and I hope you will too.
To the extent you’d like to help me celebrate, please do something kind for someone in your life. That would make me happy.
;
Jeffrey
Congratulations to you JJ. What an all round blessing you’ve been. Humble, caring, loving, simple, fun to be with, witty, intelligent, resourceful, problem solver, joy giver etc. I can go on and on. I eat how in the midst of all this, you love God with your full life. Happy Birthday JJ. God keep and preserve and prosper you now and always.
I love you dearly.
JeffYenle
admin
Amen to all your prayers.
And thanks for being a part of my journey, I’ve been truly blessed knowing you sir.
Sylvester Martins
Age in gracious grace and more you gentleman
May God grant you one but all your heart desires
admin
Amen, thanks my G
Glory David
Happy birthday Joe! It’s just the beginning, there’s so much more GOD has in store.
admin
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Thanks a lot
Ringo
I LOVE YOU BROTHER. YOU’RE A GENIUS!
☺️
Happy birthday to an amazing and adventurous boss who makes life fascinating and worth living for. Thank you so very much for all you do.
admin
God bless you bro
Patrick Emmanuel
Happy birthday to you my brother from another mother wishing you a year full of happiness,joy, progress, sound health,love,wife,embryos?, Devine blessings and peace of mind?
Cheers to lines falling in good places for you?
Jae
Happy birthday Joseph. You inspire me. This blog post makes me sincerely proud of you. You are a champ. Have a fabulous year hun. Cheers ?