How To Light Someone Up on Their Birthday

Posted on July 22nd, 2010 by Keith Ferrazzi

My birthday was last week. Thank you for all the lovely and beautiful greetings sent by so many!

Here’s something you may not know: I rarely answer the phone on my birthday. Why? I want to save the greetings in my voicemail. Sometimes I save them for years. I save all my Mom's - not just because it’s her, but because of the heartfelt sincerity of her greeting. I can feel how much she cares for me in each and every one of her messages.

I'm asked often what the best way to say “happy birthday” is. Well, it’s easy. Say it and mean it. Don't just repeat the traditional words; take the opportunity to tell that person who they are to you and to others. Tell them you really do hope they will do something special for themselves, even just to pause in the gratitude of their blessings.

What birthday messages have you received (or given) that have stuck with you?

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5 Responses so far | Have Your Say!

  1. Is it a sad commentary on my life if I can't think of one?

    Well, if it is, I'd like to change that. I often do think of things I'd like to tell people on their birthday to let them know that I think they are special and great...but I haven't taken that extra step of actually telling them.

    As always, thanks for the encouraging advice!

  2. One of my birthday traditions with my nieces and nephews is to call them on their birthday and sing Happy Birthday for them (and if you heard me sing, you know why that itself is funny). This year I was overseas on Niece #2's 4th birthday. I called, her mother put her on the phone, I started to sing and heard - Uncle Ted, I am eating dinner right now, call back later - CLICK!

  3. Great post on something so simple, yet often overlooked. Most of the people I know go to an empty mailbox on their birthday (except for bills and ads). Sometimes even writing a birthday card seems like a mechanical task...unless I take the time to slow down and think about what that person means to me. Then I can express it more meaningfully to them. I want to pass on the birthday message that I'm grateful to have received early on in my life: You Are Really Special

  4. I have my entire family sing happy birthday over the phone.

    This year I began calling my contacts on father's day and wish them the best. I had a friend tell me he appreciated it, as his wife and kids had forgotten this day given the craziness of their day. His wife told me he really appreciated the time I took.

    Sometimes it is the little things that count, so long as you sincerely mean it.

  5. Keep those messages from you mom forever. My mother passed away two years ago and I wish I would have saved her messages. My sister has one on her phone, it is priceless. Keep them for as long as you can so that you can always have that loving caring voice as a reminder of unconditional love.

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