The definition of the word celebrate falls into two categories. One is to acknowledge a significant happy or joyous occasion. The other is to perform something publicly and with appropriate rites. Today let’s focus on happy and joyous occasion.
Celebrate come on!
There have been no out of the ordinary events or occasions in my life that are giving me cause to celebrate. Nope my life has been the regular existence of work, chores, family, friends, fitness and living. Yet this morning when I was walking my fur baby Bella in the sunny, crisp air it felt celebratory. Celebratory that I was alive, physically able to be able to walk my dog, that today offered potential and possibility.
When my girls were younger every year they had a me day. This was not their birthday. This day was to celebrate who they are as a person. If you have ever been in an elementary school there is a lot of celebrating about a variety of things going on. Achievements big and small are acknowledged. Now that I am in grownup land and I look around at the grownups around me it feels that beyond celebrating a holiday or a birthday not much is celebrated. What happened to me, to us?
Celebrating accomplishments big and small on a regular basis is good for our mental health. In an article in Psychology Today by Polly Campbell she wrote: “moments of celebration make us pause and be mindful, and that boosts our well-being. According to social psychology researcher Fred Bryant and others, when we stop to savor the good stuff, we buffer ourselves against the bad and build resilience—and even mini-celebrations can plump up the positive emotions which make it easier to manage the daily challenges that cause major stress”.
Think about it. When you celebrate a work accomplishment, a fitness goal, having a clean house, laundry completed and put away it feels really good. This morning when I celebrated this beautiful morning by letting the rays of sun soak into my face and how physically and mentally good I felt after. My energy was at a higher place. It fueled my thinking about the things I want to accomplish today and gave me the confidence to do them. It is totally ok and healthy to be proud of your achievements big and small. Last night I finally was able to watch the Avengers Endgame movie that I have wanted to see, well since it came out. Yep I celebrated watching a movie.
Celebrating stuff can help you feel more optimistic, positive, confident. The train who thought it could did so by building upon what it was already doing. It is totally cool to share achievements (including watching a movie that has been out a very long time) with people around you. The more we celebrate and embrace the good stuff helps us be more equipped and prepared for when the not so good stuff happens. If our mental core is functioning at our best it makes everything in life easier.
So remarkable human celebrate you! Start compiling a mental list or write it down about positive, celebratory moments in your life. Share what you are proud of with your tribe of people in your life. Pat yourself on the back for taking risks, being brave, and living your life to the best of your ability. Life can be incredibly challenging and hard. Celebrating all the good should be a regular practice for all of us as there is so much good in this world.
May your celebrating be with you🎉
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
