Today is my birthday. This is the anniversary of my expulsion from my mother's uterus. My womb emancipation, if you will.

**Sorry that the video quality is not going to win any awards. I am learning the difficulties of recording in different environments, like wind and automatic light adjusting.**

I have a fraught relationship with my own birthdays. I have a hard time celebrating myself.

I also never expected to live this long. I've dealt with depression and suicidal ideation for a while. Frankly, I just expected to be dead by now and I did not have a problem with that.

While listening to Seth Godin's new podcast, [Akimbo](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/akimbo-a-podcast-from-seth-godin/id1345042626?mt=2), I was brought to think about why I have viewed life like that.

The gist of it: I have never felt significant, or unique in a good way. I have viewed myself as totally replaceable most of my life.

I am at a much better place now and have been able to look at my life and celebrate this day as a mark of another year and hopefully many more to look forward to.

### On a related note, I want to know how all of you wonderful people celebrate your birthdays. Until next time, be blessed. ~Sam Recent Posts: [Steps of Healing #3: Fireside with You](https://steemit.com/spirituality/@ssimkins9/steps-of-healing-3-fireside-with-you) [The Weight of Quiet: 15 Minute Free Write](https://steemit.com/steemitbloggers/@ssimkins9/the-weight-of-quiet-15-minute-free-write) [You've Become My Safe Space—Original Poetry](https://steemit.com/poetry/@ssimkins9/you-ve-become-my-safe-space-original-poetry) [Steps of Healing # 2: I Will Rise From The Ashes](https://steemit.com/motivation/@ssimkins9/steps-of-healing-2-i-will-rise-from-the-ashes)
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