Happy Birthday Exponent

[Michelle]

:lala::hearts: Have a super Happy Birthday :hearts::lala:

 

[mis_chiff]

Have a great birthday Exponent :wave:

 

[dalex]

Happy Birthday Exponent!

 

[mwzd]

Happy B'day

Be good :tu:

If you can't be good, be safe :lol:

 

[shockie]

happy birthday! :tu:

 

[exponent]

Thanks for the birthday wishes. I really appreciate it!

Today marks my 25th birthday. It's been a bittersweet journey to get to this point in my life. I've had businesses grow and fail, relationships prosper and perish, and more questions than all of the knowledge in the world could ever answer.

In 25 short years, I've witnessed the fall of the Berlin Wall, the courage of a lone civilian, standing before a column of tanks near Tiananmen Square. I've witnessed the murder of thousands on live television, fought alongside some of the bravest soldiers the fields of war have ever known, and realized one thing above all else... Our time on Earth is precious.

I've enjoyed the fruits of life as best I could, always remembering that there are still people on this Earth that go to bed hungry. I have tackled my own personal demons, and while I will regret some of my decisions for the rest of my life, I take solace in knowing that I've tried to leave no stones left unturned, nothing left unsaid, and no fears left unconquered.

I've thought about my own mortality even more as I've grown older. According to numerous studies on aging, somewhere between 25% to 33% of my life is now behind me. I laugh at those numbers because I have cheated death numerous times, and no one is guaranteed tomorrow. Each day is a gift. Ancient Greeks didn’t write obituaries, they only asked one question after a man died, ‘Did he have passion?’. While I could answer this question for myself, I would prefer not to be remembered by the way I viewed my life, but by the positive impact I've tried to make on the world through educating youths in math, science, history, and philosophy. Remember the past, look forward to the future, and cherish the moment.

I've been blessed with 25 years that I wouldn't trade for anything. I've loved and lost, achieved and failed, stumbled, and managed to get back on my feet. I'm on the cusp of finally achieving my dreams and graduating college. Sure, there are things I would change. I've lost loved ones, and my mom may be very sick (waiting on more tests), and yet after every set back, I've become a better person and marched forward to meet the next challenge my life presents, head on.

I end this reflection with a simple request: Learn everything you can learn because knowledge is the key to unlocking a better tomorrow. Love, even when your heart hurts, because it's better to love and lose than never to love at all. Live life to its fullest, no one is guaranteed a tomorrow. Mend broken friendships and strained family bonds because nothing hurts worse than leaving something important unaddressed or unsaid. End toxic relationships and cast false friends out of your life, you'll feel better in the long run. And lastly, strive to leave this world a better place.

P.S. On a slightly more juvenile note, life is too short to drink cheap beer. 8^X

 

[pathaan]

Happy Birthday and Wish you all the best

 

[Phoebe_]

Happy Birthday and Godbless!

 

[johname]

Happy Birthday Exponent