We are in the season of celebrating – Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, graduations, birthdays, Fourth of July – whew!
Holidays and celebrations are times for us to stop and acknowledge a positive change, person or event with gratitude, joy, and remembrance. We may have established traditions that have been part of our families, and that we look forward to sharing – or that we have come to dread!
Finding and honoring our joy is an integral part of living a conscious, creative life. We all need more of it.
So we are going to ask you to focus on the small daily moments that we often run over in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives and in all the hoopla and work of larger events.
Take a deep breath, open your senses, and notice the colors, scents, sounds and people around you. Acknowledge them.
And acknowledge yourself – small accomplishments lead to bigger ones. Believe it or not, every day you do something to celebrate is something to be proud of – claim it. And share it!
Celebrate every step along the way. We are often so bogged down under a list of “shouldas, wouldas, couldas”, and a personal goal of perfectionism, that we miss the joy of the journey. And that joy is a big part of what keeps us moving forward and allows us to feel like our lives are valuable.
Ask yourself –
What are the small things I am grateful for on a daily basis?
When was the last time I celebrated something I did?
Who do I like to celebrate with?
On this 4th of July, take time to celebrate who you have become and embrace your own life’s journeys and joys!
Patty & Suzanne
Our book is now available locally at Poppie’s Arts & Crafts, downtown Ojai ! 323 E. Matilija St.