Symbolism on the big day

I woke up to an email that threw me for a loop. I had applied to be featured in a series, and had spent much of this week thinking about what I could offer. This morning, rather than birthday wishes, a rejection to my application was the first note I read. Sometime in the next hour or two I should probably the read the letters from my friends…

Seriously though, it’s hard not to find symbolism when you’re primed for it. I discussed this topic in depth before, essentially with the point that it’s up to us when we choose to find meaning. In this case, there may be significance to it…but the only lesson I’ll take to heart is that regardless of the successes we’ve accomplished, the most important arbiter of our merit is our selves. And if I’m going to do anything about that rejection it’s the same as I’ve always done–find more reason to prove them wrong.

The real significance I ought to look toward today, however, is my friends. I spent yesterday evening with my favorite people (and my favorite food). I’m so lucky to have fantastic and exciting friends. I don’t know where I’d be if it weren’t for all their support, vicarious lessons-learned, and just good times.

I want to start this year off where I ended it–happy and confident. I think about the series I applied to be featured in, a series about growth and change and tangible accomplishment–but sometimes that’s just not what it’s about. It’s about knowing you’re doing the right thing and being happy. That I am.

As for the future, I just want to “keep on keeping on.” I hope to have more people working with me this time next year. I hope to spend more time getting to know some of the fascinating people whose work I keep up with every day. And, well, I guess the theme here is that I just hope to be surrounded even more hours of the day by people who I respect and enjoy. So my party last night was really the start of my birthday and those wishes. Here’s to the next year. Oh, and l’shana tova.