What are you celebrating?
This article was first published in our Outside the Lines newsletter
There’s a debate ranging in Canada about how well we’re doing in the Olympics.
It is after all “our games” – and there’s been some relentless hype leading up to the event about how Canada will “own the podium.”
Our athletes are doing pretty well – but not quite as well as had been hoped. And we’ve been treated to the sad sight of men and women apologizing for “only coming in 4th”, or not winning Gold.
It’s been yet another lesson, reminding me to take every chance I can to celebrate. And it should be noted that it’s not something that comes naturally to me. I’m always onto the next thing. Luckily, Marcella – my wife and VP of Everything Else at Box of Crayons – has part of her remit to “Tell Michael to STOP and ENJOY the moment.”
So we’ve drunk some champagne over the success of the new book this week. It’s no small feat to hit the Amazon rankings we did. Hurrah!
And so I offer up some tips on what you might like to celebrate.
1. Celebrate getting this far.
You could have stopped, given up, got distracted, abandoned ship, lost you mojo, been bamboozled.
And yet, here you are.
Whatever shape you’re in, whatever number you are in line – congratulations are in order for making it this far on the journey.
It’s no small thing.
2. Celebrate those who support you
We’ve had amazing and generous support from so many people for the launch of the book.
People blogging and tweeting and news-lettering. people buying the books. People writing lovely congratulatory notes.
Wherever you are, you’re not alone. Make a point of reaching out to say “thanks and hurrah!” to those who’ve been in your corner.
(I’ll be posting a blog specifically thanking some of our champions soon.)
3. Celebrate what’s possible now
Where you are now, who you are now, has set things up for what’s next.
As you lift your eyes to the path that unfolds in front of you, possibilities are popping up like buds of wattle after an Australian bushfire.
Celebrate what lies before you, because it will be juicy.
Don’t take my word for it
Smart people thinking out loud about celebration.
“Everything is created from moment to moment, always new. Like fireworks, this universe is a celebration and you are the spectator contemplating the eternal Fourth of July of your absolute splendor.”
-Francis Lucille
“Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey.”
-Barbara Hoffman
“I love any and all situations where you celebrate creativity.”
-Brad Paisley
“Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living!”
-Amanda Bradley
“Celebrate what you want to see more of.”
-Tom Peters
“The Olympic Games are the quadrennial celebration of the springtime of humanity.”
-Pierre de Coubertin
“I celebrate myself, and sing myself.”
-Walt Whitman
“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.”
-Oprah Winfrey
“It’s always good to remember where you come from and celebrate it. To remember where you come from is part of where you’re going.”
-Anthony Burgess
“Mom always tells me to celebrate everyone’s uniqueness. I like the way that sounds.”
-Hilary Duff
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As a Vancouverite, it’s been an interesting experiencing to be around the energy of the Olympics and to hear others’ views on the “good, the bad (or perhaps sad), and the ugly” aspects of the games over the last two weeks. For the most part, the energy has been really great in this city with all kinds of celebrations. I have to say the hype over these being “our games” and the boast that we will “own the podium” was in my mind quite arrogant and not very Canadian in the best sense of the concept. That any athlete at all has the stamina,skill or speed–not to mention incredible dedication to their sport–to make it to an Olympic level of celebration is cause enough for celebration, no matter what their nationality. This weird little bit of nationalism that seems to creep into the competitions puts unnecessary pressure on the athletes and is disrespectful of their achievements if they don’t place 1st, 2nd or 3rd.
As for my own life, well I’m celebrating the end of a very challenging time and the new opportunities that are popping up, and I’m celebrating the earlyish arrival of spring here on the west coast.
Thanks for the thoughtful comment, Sue – and welcome to Spring!
Congratulations and Happy-Fans-Dance for both the Hockey Team and the Men’s Curlers (hunh?!) !