Birthday wish #52
A few weeks ago I proudly made it to age 52. Birthdays have always been a reflective time for me, a moment to pause and take stock of where I’ve been, where I am, and where I’m heading. At 52 years old, my birthday wishes no longer resemble the ones I made as a child or even as a young man. The things I used to dream about seem like echoes of a different person—a person who didn’t yet understand the weight and beauty of self-discovery. Now, my wishes have evolved into something deeper, something more profound: I wish for me to be the best version of myself.
When I was a kid, my birthday wishes were simple and sweet. I’d blow out the candles on my cake, grinning from ear to ear, and hope for the latest toys that caught my eye. Action figures, bikes, and the like were treasures that lit up my world. Life was about adventure back then, about the joy of play and the endless possibilities of what could be. My young self couldn’t have imagined the complexities and challenges that adulthood would bring, but that innocence was its own kind of magic.
As I entered my teenage years and young adulthood, my wishes shifted. The toys were replaced by dreams of cars, freedom, and the material things that I thought would define my success. I remember how much I yearned for independence, for that sense of having made it. The idea of self-worth was tied to what I could achieve or what I could own, and I truly believed that those things would make me happy. But as the years went on, I realized that the shine of material things wears off quickly, leaving behind the truth that happiness is never found in possessions.
In my 30s and 40s, my wishes matured in a new way. Life had started to teach me hard lessons about relationships, family, and the company I kept. By then, my birthday wishes were no longer about things but about people. I wished for good people around me, people who could inspire, uplift, and challenge me to grow. I began to understand the value of meaningful connections and the importance of showing up for the people who mattered most. Those years were marked by a shift in priorities, a deeper awareness of how the people we choose to surround ourselves with shape our lives.
Now, at 52, my birthday wishes have come full circle—not to the simplicity of childhood but to the purity of something far greater. I don’t wish for toys, cars, or even people anymore. My wish is for myself. I wish to be the best version of me, the version of Wakime Hauser that I’ve spent years shaping and molding through hard work, reflection, and resilience. It’s not about what I can get but about who I can become.
Being the best version of myself means embracing discipline, growth, and accountability. It means showing up for myself in the same way I’ve learned to show up for others. It’s about pushing through the noise and distractions of the world and listening to that voice inside me that says, You can do better. You can be better. It’s about honoring my purpose and leaving behind a legacy that my family and community can be proud of. It’s about living fully in alignment with my values—whether that’s as a father, a husband, a fitness leader, or a man walking his own unique path.
These days, my wishes come with action. They’re not fleeting thoughts I send into the ether—they’re promises I make to myself and the people I care about. I’ve realized that the best way to celebrate my life is by committing to continual self-improvement. Because when I’m my best self, I can give my best to the world around me.
So, as I blow out the candles this year, my wish is simple: to keep striving, keep learning, and keep becoming. At 52, I’m not chasing things or even people—I’m chasing me.