When was the last time that you let your hair down, kicked your shoes off, jumped for joy, threw a party for one and really, I mean really, celebrated something? If it's been awhile or if you never have, then you're missing out on one of the greatest gifts known to humankind --- the ability to express joy through celebration. In her article, "The Importance of Celebration," author Kristine Pallette says celebrations give meaning to life:
There are many important things in life. Learning, growing, loving, and exploring are all things that each person should take time for. Celebration is another thing that everyone should take time for. Celebration adds an excitement and a lot of fun to life.Life can be hard, a daily grind at times. A 60-80 hour work week, working 2-3 jobs, managing a business, raising kids, taking care of sick children or elderly parents, relationship troubles, being unemployed, homeless, or incarcerated, battling a terminal health condition or mental illness, --- these are just a few of life's pressing realities that can leave little time or desire for celebration. And yet, never taking time to celebrate even the small joyful moments along life's journey could make you miserable and your life less than fulfilling. "Let go of your cares and worries," says author Bruce F. Rosen. He writes:
Take your cares and worries seriously, but be kind and gentle enough with yourself to let them go. Accept that you are human, fallible and that ultimately you need to be kind to yourself. All things will pass, including your life. You are here for a short time, so try to find more joy in your journey.Finding joy in the journey, as Rosen suggests, has proven psychological as well as health benefits. Thousands of years ago, King Solomon saw the wisdom of cultivating a life-long habit of joyful celebration and recorded it in Proverbs 17:22 AMP:
A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.In discussing the "Nature of Joy," noted Alternative Medicine practitioner and author, Dr. Deepak Chopra offers this viewpoint:
The conditions of your life don't necessarily affect your ability to experience joy. This has more to do with your mindset: do you see the glass half full or half-empty. This mindset can be influenced through meditation or cognitive therapy. Making other people happy is another way of achieving joy.Life on earth is far from being perfect. Nevertheless, your view of life determines how much joy you will derive from it. Are you that person who dwells on life's negatives or that person who sees the proverbial silver lining behind every dark cloud? And if you are one of nearly 30 million Americans diagnosed with some degree of depression, the way out may not be easy but it is possible. Authors John Van Sickel and Dr.Walli Carranza offer practical advice for overcoming depression in their respective articles, "6 Practical and Powerful Ways to Overcome Depression" and "How to Overcome Depression Naturally." Both authors agree that changing the way you think and serving others can add to your sense of contentment and joy in life.
After all, life is what you make it. You may not be able to do much about your circumstances (at least for now) but you can do something about your attitude. In spite of life's uncontrollable events and sometimes disappointing experiences, learn to filter out the garbage and savage what really matters. The power to choose is in your hands. Choose to celebrate the little things. Begin by thanking God for the gift of another day...
"This day belongs to the Lord! Let’s celebrate and be glad today." Psalm 118:24 CEV
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