It's the day before my birthday and I have been doing what I normally do at this time of year - get all contemplative about me and my life. Funny how it happens around birthdays...

People ask me what I want to do to mark the occasion but it seems that to celebrate is more for their benefit than mine. I don't do birthdays very well. Mainly because it's the one day of the year that a person is allowed to be the centre of attention without being criticized about doing it. After that, you need to fade into the woodwork and don't rock the boat. The truth is I want to have more than one day a year in which I don't feel guilty about being the awesome person that I am.

I could say that I really just want world peace for my birthday but I want that every day. I want people to be accepted by others for their beliefs even though there is no doubt going to be disagreements. Chances are though, that it won't happen this year as it hasn't in the many years before now that I just hoped that everyone can just get along.

Instead, this year I am going to be more selfish.

I was born in a time where to think of yourself before others was selfish. A person's own happiness was always to be sacrificed so that others can be happy. It is very difficult to shake this way of thinking and I know it will be tough to give up something that is so deeply engrained in my nature.

This year, I am going to wish for the strength to change those things in myself that are hindering me from the things that I truly deserve. Up until now, I depended on those around me to measure my success. After all, if people viewed me as successful, then I really must be. The problem was that I didn't really believe it myself.

This year, I am going to love myself more and to those who think that is selfish, just get over it!

I am Leo, hear me roar!