The alarm clock

Birthdays and anniversaries are like alarm clocks. Sometimes I wonder if we would be growing as old and as fast if we were not reminded of it precisely every year at the same time. Since when did we start celebrating birthdays? Since when did it become such a special day? A day to cut cakes, distribute sweets? A day of expectations? A day when you expect to be the center of attention. Is it because at some point people realized that we need at least one day in a year to be treated special? Or is it mainly the marketing of companies like Archies and Hallmark?
What about the fact that the inflated importance tagged with the date also gives rise to heart breaks, unfulfilled promises, failed expectations and thus leading to depression? What about the competitive nature of birthday celebrations which are taking place more and more these days? Parents going out of their way to celebrate their kid's first birthday in a five star hotel, just because all others are doing the same. Does a one year old even understand what a birthday is?

As with many other things in life, when the ritual becomes more important than the meaning behind it, I start getting uncomfortable and I have to ask questions. Why do you celebrate your birthday?  What is it you are proud of? What exactly are you celebrating?