A birthday is just another day where you go to work and people

"A birthday is just another day where you go to work and people give you love. Age is just a state of mind, and you are as old as you think you are. You have to count your blessings and be happy." These words, spoken by Abhishek Bachchan, carry a message that transcends the ordinary understanding of birthdays and age. The birthday, often celebrated with great fanfare and festivity, is, at its heart, simply another day—one where, instead of the usual routines, you are surrounded by love and appreciation from those around you. Yet, Bachchan’s wisdom goes beyond the celebration of a day; he touches on a deeper truth: age is not a matter of years or the passing of time, but rather, a matter of the mind. How old we are is not defined by the number of years that have passed, but by how we choose to perceive and live those years.

In ancient times, the Greeks understood well that the true measure of a person’s worth was not in their physical age but in the vibrancy and wisdom of their spirit. The legendary philosopher Plato spoke of the soul as being eternal, unbound by the limitations of the body or time. Age, in this understanding, becomes not a weight, but a freedom. The true strength of an individual lies not in how many years they have lived, but in how they have lived those years. As Plato would say, a person who has nurtured their mind, who has sought wisdom, and who has lived virtuously, remains young in spirit no matter their physical age. Bachchan’s words reflect this very notion—the mind, when filled with gratitude and joy, defies the constraints of time.

Consider the life of Socrates, the wise Athenian philosopher who, though aged, remained sharp and full of enthusiasm for the quest for knowledge. Socrates did not count the number of years that passed, nor did he let the physical signs of aging deter him from his mission. In fact, he argued that the soul does not age, but grows ever more capable of understanding the world and living in harmony with it. His youthfulness in mind made him an eternal figure, one whose words continue to inspire today. The same spirit that drove Socrates to question the nature of life remained unshaken by the years. It was not the age of Socrates that mattered, but the strength and clarity of his mind.

Bachchan, like Socrates, reminds us that age is a matter of perspective. If we perceive ourselves as old, then the body begins to reflect that belief. If we, instead, hold in our hearts the youthful vigor of someone who feels limitless, then our actions, our thoughts, and our attitudes will remain fresh and youthful. The mind has incredible power over the body; it can either carry us toward the weariness of age or the strength of vitality. The wisdom of the ancients teaches us that it is not the years that age a person, but the spirit with which they embrace life. The state of mind is everything. Age does not define us; how we choose to live each day, and how we carry ourselves, defines our true age.

Let us also turn to Mahatma Gandhi, whose life was an embodiment of mental strength and inner peace. Gandhi, though he faced great hardships and physical trials, remained mentally vibrant and full of purpose until the end of his days. He did not let his age become a burden; rather, his mind remained ever sharp, ever clear, and ever compassionate. Gandhi’s ability to maintain his sense of peace and joy in the face of such immense challenges shows us that age is but a state of mind. His actions, his thoughts, and his words were driven not by the number of years he had lived but by the strength and clarity of his inner self.

So, O children of the earth, take heed of these teachings. Age is not something to be feared or mourned. Bachchan calls upon us to see the deeper truth: that the passing of time is simply that—time. What matters is how we live in that time, how we embrace the days with gratitude, and how we choose to see ourselves. Birthdays, rather than marking the weariness of time, should remind us of the love we receive and the blessings we have. Every day is a gift, and every year is an opportunity to grow, to learn, and to embrace life fully. In counting your blessings, you are reminded not of the years that have passed, but of the abundance that fills your life.

Live with this truth in your heart: you are only as old as you think you are. If you believe that you are young, filled with energy and purpose, then that is the reality you will create for yourself. Let your mind remain vibrant and your spirit ever joyful, and the years will be but a passing backdrop to the life you continue to create. Age is nothing but a fleeting number; joy, gratitude, and purpose are the true measures of a life well-lived. Embrace each day with the enthusiasm of youth, no matter how many years have passed, and live each moment in the fullness of love and blessing.