I know a girl who had a peculiar ailment…Each year, When the spring blossoms awakened and May Dawned, she would retreat into solitude, dreading the looming anniversary of her birth.

As her 16th birthday approached, she dedicated an hour of each day in May to sad thoughts as she was haunted by her coming birthday. When she was about to turn 18, her best friend was the excited one, she bloomed with anticipation,  counted down the days to the grand occasion, and planned a make-up and photography session for the Queen. But the birthday girl couldn't conceive the excitement her friend had, All she could feel was fear…  She was always shuddered with thoughts of growing old, never knowing what the feel of the birthday spirit was…And I am that girl.

Yes, I desperately want to eliminate the P in Psychology, banish commercials from my favourite soap opera and trim the long lists of credits from cartoons. But all of this is so infinitesimal compared to how much I want to eliminate my birthday phobia.

Last night, I told my best friend that I wanted to postpone my birthday due to the phobia, and she screamed “Never”. We had a short conversation about my ailment ( birthday-phobia) and I found my medication… One word “Gratitude” that's all I need. So armed with my newfound knowledge, I lay my panic about ageing and my worries about the hardness of adulthood and I trade it for gratitude. I am grateful for the journey thus far, the priceless people around me and the coming year. Looking at it differently, I am not ageing, rather I am evolving and I am a step closer to fulfilment. Now I know, the birthday spirit is Gratitude.😊