Celebrate Life!
Why we need this mindset more than ever.
Was there a phrase that defined your childhood and growing up years?
For me, it was these two little poignant words. This was a mindset that defined the experience of growing up Breen.
My mom had went to one of those craft shows and came home with a hand painted wooden sign that read, Celebrate Life! To this day, it still hangs in her kitchen almost in the exact same spot.
For my mom, this was an anthem. A reminder that no matter the hard, heavy, or hum drum, there was always something in life to celebrate. SheShe (yes, that is the nickname we have for her name Sheila) has this way of looking at life, that no matter what, there is always something to celebrate.
You got a B- on your math test and did your absolute best? Let’s celebrate it!
Got your first period? Celebrate new womanhood, girl.
You did a hard thing in life brave and scared at the same time? Celebrate the shit outta that!
Stood by your no and didn’t let someone push your boundaries? Celebrate good times!
Mom’s “celebrate” mindset made everyday life feel special, even magical. It is a perspective I have tried keep as I gotten older in adulthood. No matter what life looks or feels like, I am always on the lookout to find a way how to celebrate the good and the beautiful.
I feel like this is the mindset this world, our country needs right now, a mindset of looking to celebrate life.
More than half of the population voted for a man the rest of the country loathes. The division and fear in our country only grows - and for many groups of people, this very real and quite terrifying.
My wise friend Laura Fanucci shared on her Instagram stories last week (forgive me friend if I totally butcher your words!) about a sweet experience of being on date with her husband and seeing another couple on what looked to be a first date - even being in the background for that awkward goodnight kiss that sometimes accompanies a first date. Laura shared how catching the moment of watching that couple felt like a bit of reprieve and joy in the midst of so much that feels hard, scary, and draining right now.
How do we celebrate life when much of the world around feels heavy?
You celebrate the hell out of life.
And…
Make those phone calls to your elected officials so your voice is heard.
Love the people and be love to them.
Practice lavish amounts of grace, listening, empathy, and mercy.
Know that a scream is a prayer too.
Limit the news and social media.
Rest AND resist.
Pray/meditate/do yoga.
Move your physical body and nourish it with good foods.
Delight in the fuzzy socks, gurgle of a baby, or the first bite of your favorite food.
Be a good citizen in your community. Care about the common good of your neighbor(s).
Smile at strangers. Help the older lady put her grocery cary away. Mail the birthday card.
Show reverence to a person by using their preferred pronouns.
And then, pray some more.
How might you celebrate life today, tomorrow, this week? I would love to hear.
For me celebrating right now, looks like finding extra time to read or do the Morning Pages.
Putting on a bold lipstick while I fold laundry.
Stay in my jammies all day on Sunday.
Praying for a friend who is actively birthing her baby boy.
Making a homemade ice cream cake for Travis’ 43rd birthday tomorrow.
Don’t let the days whirl by you without bits of beautiful celebrating.
When life is hard, celebrate even harder.
Hold tight, friend. Have fierce hope in your heart and keep celebrating.
Celebrating with you (wearing my Ugg slippers!) in the week ahead,
Patty