Reliance

 There are any number of times that people around me did not remember my birthday.  They just ignored my "special" day, and it used to bum me out.  I would get resentful and self-pitying.  "No one loves me," I would think.  But eventually the light went on for me.  Why was my happiness dependent on another person's response?  Why live in disappointment?  Change my attitude.  Stop relying on others to fulfill my happiness quotient.  I became glad that I had lived another day to be happy, joyous and free.  Then I had an epiphany!  Why not do something to be helpful to another person?  Be of service on my birthday.  What a concept.  Who thought this up?