People have started to ask me how I'll be celebrating my 40th birthday next month: Will I be having a party, or a day of solo contemplation? Will I go on a fabulous trip, or stay home with friends? And what would I like for gifts, or do I want gifts at all?I haven't entirely decided how to celebrate the big day, and would love your ideas about how to celebrate your birthday in a way that is fun and makes a difference.
In his post, What Should I Do On Your Birthday? Seth Godin writes:
I know a lot of people have been using the Causes Birthday Wish Facebook application to ask friends to donate to their favorite nonprofit. I may go that route, but I have to tell you, it kinda gets on my nerves when I receive an email every time my friend receives a donation. On the other hand, the application seems to be making a difference according to Susan Gordon's post, $1 Million Donated Through Birthday Wish! on Causes Exchange.
"With all due respect to Hallmark, the idea of sending people cards and presents on their birthday seems both selfish and small-minded. It seems to me that we could think bigger. . . .
. . . On my birthday, it would make me really happy if people started a project, launched an idea or engaged in a difficult interaction that made something good happen. Make a difference day."
Thing is, I feel like I should be doing something to have fun and do good on my birthday, not necessarily asking other people to do something in honor of my birthday.
For example, Adrian Reif chronicled his "birthday challenge" on his blog, aptly named, Adrian's Birthday Challenge. Inspired by an article about birthday fitness challenges in Backpacker Magazine, Adrian decided to celebrate his 24th birthday with a physical and mental challenge, and a fundraiser for the Nashville Rescue Mission. During the 24 hours of his birthday he challenged himself and his friends and family to:
- 24 miles of bike riding
- 24 kilometers (14.9 miles) of running
- 24 boulder problems (rock climbing routes without a rope)
- 240 total of push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups - (100 sit-ups, 90 push-ups, 50 pull-ups)
- 240 Frisbees caught and thrown (it takes two! i need your help)
- 8,760 seconds of reading (1 for each day I’ll have been alive)
- 24 songs listened to from 1985
- 24 - # of strangers to meet and learn their names
- 24 hugs to different people (this means you, too!)
- 24 spoken Chinese phrases (leaving for China in February)
- 24 cupcakes shared with friends
What ideas do you have for how to celebrate your birthday in a way that is fun and makes a difference?
Flickr Photo Credit: Happy Birthday to ME! uploaded by *spudballoo*
Cross-posted from BlogHer.com.
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