My 2 year old could care less about her Snow White, candy apple, witches brew that is actually bubbling with dry-ice party. She did say, "that's perty, mommy!" But honestly she doesn't even know who Snow White is. But for Caroline and me, it is a big old excuse to make a pinterest board, make fun invites, for her to bake blue bird cookies, candy apples, and the cutest ruffle dress cake known to man. For me it an excuse to decorate my dining room like a magical fairtytale, with snowy branches, cut logs, and candy containers filled with white puffy marshmallows that no one eats. And so my husband can say, "wow you really outdid yourself this time."
Everybody loves a good celebration. I don't care what my introverted, please-don't-throw-me-a-party husband says. Everyone needs a little celebration every now and then. People all around us are putting in some hard work, whether it’s going after a scary dream and worrying about failing but trying any way, waking up multiple times in the night with a sick baby, making their goal of going to the gym 240 days this year, going to counseling to fight for their family, or just hustling to make ends meet. Every person you meet today, tomorrow, this week needs some celebrating because they are working HARD.
It's super easy to celebrate those with a birthday, anniversary, something that is usually celebrated but sometimes it is super hard for us, as women especially, to celebrate each other's gifts, passions, and successes. It's real easy for us to look at someone else's awesomeness and instead of saying that is "AWESOME." We say, "why aren't we AWESOME," like they are.
It can make us insecure when someone is getting in shape and we aren't. When someone reaches a goal and we haven't come close to meeting ours. When someone gets acknowledged for something we wish we got accolades for. When someone moms or wifes better then we do. You can fill in your _________.
When I start to think like this I have to go back to Brene Brown's quote. "I am IMPERFECT, and I am ENOUGH." My awesome is different than your awesome. And some things you are awesome at, I will never be awesome at, and that is OK!
Let's TRAIN ourself to celebrate others. Even when the natural feelings of “ I am not enough”, or comparing awesomeness start creeping in, I am going to TRAIN myself to straight-up celebrate. Even if my heart isn't fully there and I have to fake it a bit, my heart will quickly come around and it will be geniune celebration after I continue to practice this with an open heart.
cel·e·brate verb \ˈse-lə-ˌbrāt\ : to do something special or enjoyable for an important event, occasion, holiday, etc.
: to praise (someone or something) : to say that (someone or something) is great or important
Celebration is contagious. So spread that stuff around....and invite me and Caroline to your next celebration. Because we love any excuse to throw a party!