What are we celebrating anyway?

There are a lot of things that we do in this world, because other people do it, but for which we don't really think about - like what is the objective?

I'm sure you KNOW, the hype around mother's day, father's day, teacher's day, valentine's day - is just a way to boost the economy a bit. But is there a true meaning in these days? If appreciation is to be shown sincerely, it can be shown ANY day at all. You can make them feel special everyday, and surprise them with dinner or presents(and it would be a REAL surprise) on any other day - when prices are more normal.

Then, there's the birthdays. When a kid is like 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12... yes.. MAYBE we can celebrate them getting older - for THEIR own sake. No no, it shouldn't be to make the PARENTS happy and the child distressed (like what happens in most birthdays for one-year olds and some 2-yr olds).

But as you get older, what IS it that we're celebrating? Because the one thing I'm always reminded about on these birthdays is that another year has gone by, so that's one less year to live. How much more time? Now, do we celebrate this with balloons and presents?

Or should we ponder over it, by making doa that whatever is left of our life on earth, let be a good and beneficial one.. that will help us attain goodness in this world AND more importantly, in the Hereafter. Ameen.

Then okaaay.. perhaps the one whose birthday is on that day, may want to treat some people for a meal - because that would add on to the book of good deeds, and therefore help him achieve the objective. Yeah.

(Allah selamatkan kamu.. jeng 3X) X 2
Allah selamatkan kita semua..
Allah selamatkan kamu. jeng 3X
Ameen.

Wallahu'alam. May Allah guide us all.

This is just a thought (see the tag.. 'thoughts' :D, and I don't make any judgements on anyone who celebrates their birthday. It's just me, for my own.