Today is my birthday. I know a lot of people are really humble about things like this and don’t like to announce when they have a birthday or acknowledge the fact that they’re turning a year older, but seriously, screw that. I fricken love my birthday. I’ve survived another year on this earth without shooting myself in the face, accidentally or on purpose, and that, my friends, is something to celebrate. I like eating a ton of cake, having a few birthday drinks, and spending time with people who care about me. Birthdays rock.

So here I am, on my birthday, writing a blog post. This post wasn’t written ahead of time and posted while I’m off gallivanting around town in a pink sparkle tiara and “birthday girl” sash.* I’m sitting here, blogging, which is my job, on my birthday. know exactly what you’re thinking: WTF BBQ?Seriously, I’m right there with you. When I was growing up, I always really enjoyed birthdays, and I made every effort to skip school or my job or whatever to spend the day doing fun stuff. You should have fun on your birthday! Not work!

So, sitting here, I had to ask myself why the hell I was blogging on my birthday.

Allison: “Why the hell are you blogging on your birthday?”

Me: “Because it’s my birthday and I want to.”

Allison: “But it’s work.”

Me: “I know. I rock.”

In other words, I’m “working” on my birthday because I love my job. In actuality, I wouldn’t have to put up a post today. I post once or twice a week, on average, so I could skip today. But I wanted to write a post. I wanted to work. I could spend the day doing whatever and this is what I chose.

It’s 13% luck, 58% perspiration, 24% talent, 11% networking, and 4% butterscotch flavoring. That’s 110%!**

What I’m trying to say is that few people just fall into jobs they love. It takes luck, hard work, skill, and help from others - along with a little extra zing of your own - to get that dream gig. And really, blogging might not be the perfect job for me forever. I actually would bet money that I won’t be a blogger forever, that I’ll move on to other dream gigs in my life.

But do yourself a favor and make this your goal. Make it your goal to wake up on your birthday and say with gusto, “I get to do work today! Yay!” You don’t have to be stuck in  your boring job. You don’t have to hate what you do to make good money. You can be happy and fullfilled, reaching the point where it’s a pleasure to work on your birthday, at least for a few hours. You just have to want it badly enough to not give up until you get there.

*Coincidentally, these are two articles of clothing I do not actually own, but would totally rock at the bar on my birthday if someone gave them to me.

** You are made of pure win if you get that random movie reference.