Do we know how to celebrate life? Do we look at a celebration the wrong way?
A celebration is usually thought of as a festival, a
special event or ceremony that is full of joy. For example, we “celebrate” a
wedding but “attend” a funeral.
Have “celebrations” come to mean only marking a
victory, an achievement or a happy event?
Since my beloved husband’s illness was diagnosed last
November, I’ve learnt that there’s an art to celebration.
Celebration doesn’t depend on outside circumstances:
why should we wait for the next birthday or personal success or sunny day to
celebrate?
Even in dark times, even when we’re separated from joy
and laughter by an abyss of fearful anxiety, if we dig deep enough, we can find
within our souls a bubble of joy, a small wonder that can and should be
celebrated with both tears and laughter.
The art of celebration doesn't lie in waiting for the
good times or the happy days.
No, it lies in finding a way to walk the middle
path between great joy and great sorrow; of finding one particular moment in between
those two extremes to rejoice in this
moment, this one instant in which we’re
alive to all that life has to offer.
Can you practice the art of celebrating your sorrows
as well as your joys? If you can, then
you already know what I am learning: the dark days always become brighter when
we search for something to celebrate in each other, in our life and in our world.
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| Magnified section of "Man and the World of Stars" mixed media Wenkidu. Find out more about this wonderful painting of a celebration dance here |
4 comments:
Dear Judy - I had not taken on board Beric's illness - I may have been away. So I am so sorry to read this - but what an uplifting post. It is definitely the way to face things - to be able to laugh, do some things you both enjoy and see the world through rosy glasses ... times will be tough, yet there is always a positive note and looking at the world with your best lens forward makes life easier for all those dark times.
My thoughts and love to you both - I do so love your book "Man of the World of Stars" and that art work ... always reaches out to me - as Africa.
May healing come, and each day bring happiness and that love that holds you together .. Hilary
Dear Hilary thanks for your kind & supportive words - yes, I prefer rosy glasses - they really help one achieve what the real world says is impossible! :)
Beric has responded very well to the chemo & radiation and last Wednesday we had the good news that we can proceed to phase 2 of his treatment, which is the major surgery. He has a fantastic medical team, so that's something to celebrate too!! Hope you're keeping well-I'm focused on Beric right now so writing & blogging is low on my priorities and I'm out of touch with your news. Will pop over to your blog for a quick squiz! xx
Beautiful post. It can be very hard but you are right. There is always something to celebrate because the best things to celebrate are ourselves and the people we love :-)
Hi Taryn, yes it is hard at times ... but the effort of actively seeking out small joys to celebrate is worth it! Hope you have a week filled with many celebrations, small and large! :)
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