Another birthday has come and gone.  Typically my birthday marks the decline of my mood for the rest of the year.  This year, however, it would seem that the changes that I have made in my life have made a difference in my mood overall. Currently, at least for now, I'm content in life.  No longer longing for the end. Those changes would not have happened had things gone a different way last year.  I have to wonder. Had things worked out differently with Brittany, would my mood have darkened these last few months of the year as it has for so many years in the past? I will never know, but I would assume it would have.  Interesting trade off if you ask me.