Learning to Celebrate—What Happened to Me
Looking up, the sun glared down into my eyes right over the edge of the roof, but that was exactly where I needed to look. I was giving my house a bath. The north side of our house in Ohio had been green for several years now, and it was definitely time for a thorough cleaning.
It was a hot summer day, and I’d spent all morning working hard on putting the finishing touches on some new training on how to debrief others. It took concentration and self-discipline, but was very rewarding. Now, I was tackling a very different kind of project.
Savannah and her husband had recently moved into our house. We are loving sharing our space (during the summers) with this twenty-something couple, and never more than this day. Savannah had also had the spontaneous urge to work in the yard. She trimmed trees while I wrestled a high-powered machine, thrusting water onto our gutters and walls with such force that it left them sparkling clean.
It was satisfying—the discipline of holding my arms above my head for so long, the challenge of learning something new and working out of my comfort zone, and, especially, the results. Maybe because I could actually see those results—unlike so many other things I do.
But on this day of hard work, something unique happened, something so utterly satisfying that I’m still savoring it days later.
When the walls were finished, I began trying out this power washer on my concrete driveway. It had become almost black in spots from age, from the humidity of the Ohio River Valley, and from the black walnut tree that shaded it (and hurled walnuts at any car parked in the driveway each fall).
It’s amazing . . . that black coating that had never budged with a broom sloughed off easily with this high-powered water wonder. It was fun. I found myself writing “S&R” (my housemates’ initials) in cleanliness on the pavement I hadn’t yet laundered. I called Savannah over.
“Oh, wow! Look how clean it is!” she said.
Then, turning around, “Look how beautiful this is! The driveway looks like a beautiful, white, sandy beach!” She was bubbling over with delight.
We walked around the house, and she genuinely savored how lovely it looked. She was so authentic with what she shared. She was free—playful even—in fully enjoying the results with me. It made me feel free to truly be happy about what I’d accomplished. I’ve rarely felt so invited to stop and pleasure in an achievement.
In the end, she finished the driveway—just wanting in on the action of watching that black filth disappear before her eyes.
Photo by Ambreen Hasan on Unsplash
Later in the day, I’d notice her walking to the kitchen window and gazing out at the driveway to just enjoy how nice it looked. When she caught me doing the same thing, we’d re-enter into the joy of celebrating what we’d done together. I think we walked outside—just to look at the driveway—at least three times after it was finished.
That evening, I kept thinking about what a special day it was and wondered why. Then, it hit me.
I had celebrated.
I had truly, genuinely, and even playfully, celebrated. That’s something I don’t do enough.
Celebrating is part of caring for yourself.
Get one of our favorite self-care quotes, and use it as a screen saver.
Four Components of Celebration
Resting: It helps to stop a bit. When we rest from the work, it gives us the occasion to stop, look back, and say, “That was good!”
Noticing: Not only do we need to stop, we also need to reflect and notice what’s happened. Too often, I stop just to eat, take a nap, or take a day off before moving on to the next thing on my very long to-do list. I’d do well to stop and take note of what has actually happened.
Acknowledge and Delight In: I stop, I notice, and then I need to acknowledge the good that I see. Acknowledge it out loud with words. Let your body show delight—dance, do a “high five,” or “fist bump.” Delight in it by savoring it—thinking about the different aspects, looking at different angles, and commenting on them. Your delight can be quiet like a whispered gratitude or loud like a crazy party. Either way, let yourself feel it, even if for just a moment.
Involve Others: I would have enjoyed seeing my house clean just on my own, but acknowledging and delighting in it was so much more significant when someone else was involved—especially someone who was also taking delight in it. Doing this with others helps us see the validity of our own story. We get to share our story with others and be known by them in a way that’s just plain fun.
Benefits of Celebration
What does celebration do for you? I can tell you what it does for me!
Celebration
Re-energizes me
Reminds me that the work was worth it
Motivates me for the future
Changes my pace and reminds me to have fun
Connects me to those who join in my celebration
Gives me a grateful heart and a positive attitude
We need to celebrate—our own achievements and those of others.
Take a moment. Stop and think about something you’ve completed, accomplished, or just noticed as good lately. How do you want to acknowledge that? Who can you celebrate with?
Stop again and think of someone you are close to. What have they accomplished lately (big or small)? How could you recognize that and help them celebrate?
Savannah, thanks for celebrating with me and reminding me of how awesome, fun, and motivating it can be!
Do you have a hard time feeling like it’s alright to take care of yourself?
Consider making this quote your screen saver.
It’s from a woman named Katie Reed—not to be confused with our very own Katie Reid—who wholeheartedly agrees!
