Earlier in week something happened at hotel that was similar to Whataburger experience, but not nearly as funny. A boy about 10 years old was struggling with door, as he was trying to enter with a clothes cart. I hurried over to hold door. He never even said “thank you.” But, it gets worse. His dad stood nearby, looking very successful in his coat and tie. He never expressed appreciation either. What a sad example.

The incident is similar to hamburger story in this: They’re both result of a type of “thoughtlessness.” In first case young lady was just doing what she was trained to do. Go for up sale. It never occurred to her that someone might order a small burger for a reason. No harm done. The second case was simply “thoughtless” ingratitude.

On brighter side, later in week, at an IHOP a half dozen teenage girls went through door as I held it open. Every single one of them thanked me. Different upbringing – different thoughts.

In all of this, I can’t help being reminded that Bible says Jesus healed ten lepers, and only one returned to thank him. We should not expect better. It’s a waste of time and energy that is better spent learning ways to show gratitude.

BARBER-OSOPHY: The genuinely successful are usually thoughtfully thankful.

And if we do it right, there's plenty to laugh about, even when we look back on bumpiest of years. As old saying goes, having a birthday is better than alternative!

If your own birthday doesn't inspire you, look forward to ones celebrated by others. Turn them into an opportunity to play a little birthday mindfulness game.

In spirit of finding a reason for celebrating reflection, I called an old high school friend on his 45th birthday last month.

He was absolutely dumbfounded. We hadn't talked in over ten years, and our last conversation was a quick hello at a class reunion. But I had always remembered his April 8th birthday, so I made a round of phone calls and tracked him down, reaching him at home as he celebrated quietly with a handful of family and friends.

We had a delightful conversation. It made me wonder why I'd never picked up phone to call him in all these years. But then, we all know answer to that--we get busy, and even if we do think of calling, we talk ourselves out of it because it might be, well, weird.

Far from weird, it was heartwarming, affirming, and truly connected us despite fact that our friendship had faded over 25 years ago. At end of our call, Scott said, "I will never forget this as long as I live."

What more can anyone ask of a birthday?