I was having trouble with my yoga practice last Wednesday. My mind was wandering all over the place and no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t calm my busy brain.
“What’s UP?” I finally asked myself.
That’s when I realized that although I had planned a trip to see my kids for my birthday, there was some part of me raising a fuss!
Could it be that having just given a presentation last week to a group of execs on positive leadership where I talked about the importance of appreciation, recognition and celebration, something in me had gone on alert to see if I was doing enough of that in my own life?
By the time I left the mat I’d make the decision – I’d invite friends over to celebrate my birthday on Sunday night at the beach. It was a small group – 12 in all. It was just the right number and just the right decision.
People brought food and flowers and my retreat partner Tia Crystal (founder of BWellnessTravel.com) hand painted a cake that stunned us all!
We blessed the food and spoke gratitude out loud. We sang Happy Birthday and my dear friend Lenny played the ukulele and we sang ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow.’
Joy and laughter filled the air.
I brought with me a glass jar and lots of little colored papers and pens. The sign on the jar said, “Feel free to share lots of words of love and encouragement for the next year.”
And shared they did – the messages are powerful, sweet and funny – like “Yes you can!” and “Smile at all you meet, laugh every day…” and one of my favorites, “It doesn’t get any better than this, we are still on this side of the grass.”
I want to share with you today, my birthday, July 2nd, what I wrote about Celebration in my book “54 Ways to Stay Positive in a Changing, Challenging and Sometimes Negative World.” to encourage you to celebrate something everyday.
This is #54: Celebrate
Most people are good at celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and weddings. But the art of true celebration lies in the ability to celebrate life itself.
Each and every glorious moment.
Celebration begins with recognition, the recognition of accomplishment, the recognition of failures and the lessons learned. The recognition that every moment of life has the potential to be celebrate-able.
Even the last.
So today ask yourself, “Did I recognize and celebrate the things that made me proud? Did I recognize and celebrate the beauty of the life and lessons I earned?”
The celebration I speak of is not just that of party hats and fancy cakes. It is the spiritual celebration of all Father/Mother God’s creations and yours. We are all creators.
Celebrate Every Day!
Thank you for listening – now go out and celebrate!
JoAnna
PS “54 Ways to Stay Positive in a Changing, Challenging and Sometimes Negative World.” makes a great gift!
