It’s New Year’s Eve and the world is gleefully raising a glass to the completion of the old year and the welcoming of a new. It’s a time for celebration and revelry. Like an empty page or a blank canvas, the possibilities are boundless. Let the spirit of a brand new beginning intoxicate and entice.
Celebration on this day is, of course, an expected behavior. Observing all holidays, as well as birthdays, weddings, and other significant or material events is part of what we as humans consider commonplace. It’s an integral part of life.
The mere point of celebration is to pause from our daily routines, our busy lives, and the expectations and demands from others so that we can express joy, appreciation, gratitude, and thanks. We suspend the ordinary so we may spend devoted time with those we care about and rejoice in an occasion by marking it with something special or enjoyable. Sounds lovely to me.
“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” – Oprah Winfrey
But why don’t we do it more often? Why don’t we celebrate the other pieces of our journey–when we make incremental progress or accomplish a smaller goal on the road to our larger ones? Why don’t we stop and celebrate where we are in our lives, or periodically acknowledge the people and places we experience without a date on the calendar prompting us to do so?
There are times when I am better at this than others.
Observing wins and successes motivates us to do even more. Commemorating both personal and professional achievements raises morale, ignites our internal fire, and rejuvenates us after a fierce round of hard work and tenacity.
“I celebrate myself, and sing myself.” – Walt Whitman
Yesterday I wrote about reflecting on the year past and capturing a list of our accomplishments, big and small, so we may acknowledge progress. It’s my goal this year to celebrate more often. I will recognize and reward myself in some small way for powering through and keeping my momentum. I will honor and celebrate that I am like no one else, that I have come so very far, and that I continue to surprise and surpass my own expectations.
At the end of another wondrous year–filled with gifts, growth, and empowering experiences—I raise my glass to each of you and wish you a glorious New Year filled with the momentous and the momentary celebrations!
WELCOME TO 2015!!
Image Credit: ©iStock.com/8213erika
