I believe sometimes we get to the point in life where we either love our birthdays or hate them. 
Now many years I have dreaded my birthday but the *cough* older I get. The more I appreciate another year and use his time and day to create new goals and visions for the next year. Kind of like a New Years resolution but for me a few weeks early.
For today starts a new year. Leaving the past behind me. Today is a start to a new chapter, a new me!! Now time to reflect and decide what this next year has in store for me. For it will only change if I choose for it to change. A newer version of my life will only get there if I do the work. If I choose for it to occur.
Be stronger than your excuses and the business of life. Make yourself a priority and be happy. Not just appearing to be happy but truly, deep down, be happy. I swear this is a skill! We as people take things to heart too much. Positive and negative things. Controlling our behavior and thoughts and feelings without influence is truly a gift and talent.
One of my favorite quotes reads,
“Champions aren’t made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them—a desire, a dream, a vision.”
Being a champion is a choice. We choose our destiny. We choose where we go. We have the ability to dream! Dream big. Have large visions, desire huge. You are so worth it. You can do it. You are capable.