Friday, April 30, 2010

Time to Celebrate the Ordinary


When do you take the time to celebrate? Anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, births of a new baby, but what about the ordinary days, like today for example. Did you celebrate today? Why?


Celebrate the Ordinary

"Every day cannot be a birthday, and this day may be a very ordinary day for you. Perhaps you have just finished spring cleaning, and sometime before the week is over you need to visit your mom at the nursing home, take her to a doctor visit, go to the grocery store, make it to a parent-teacher conference, take little Johnnie to soccer practice, and watch your husband bowl on Friday night so he feels that you are a good wife who is interested in him.

My suggestion to avoid bitterness, resentment, and perhaps a mild nervous breakdown is to take time between the spring cleaning and all of the rest of the things on your schedule and do something that you really enjoy that would qualify as celebration. The first thing your mind is going to say is, "You don't have time to do that." But I am telling you that you need to take the time. And if you do the rest of your tasks will go more smoothly and joyfully. If you don't take time to recharge your batteries, then you are probably headed for some version of sinking emotions - discouragement, depression, despair, anger, resentment, or self-pity. When you start to feel down, just take the time to something "up" that lifts your mood and helps you feel better about life in general.

Cleaning house is an ordinary thing, but getting the job done can still be celebrated. Perhaps we could enjoy ordinary everyday life more if we learned to celebrate the ordinary. I am actually inviting you to creatively find reasons to celebrate. We cannot always celebrate for days at a time like I just did for my birthday, but even small celebrations can refresh us. Eat a cookie, buy a pair of shoes, go to lunch with a good friend, sit in the sunshine, go for a walk, or put a spoonful of whipped cream in your coffee. Take the time to do whatever is special to you. It doesn't even have to take a long time, but it is necessary for optimum joy and maintaining a good attitude. So are you ready to celebrate?"

These were some of my favorite words from Joyce Meyer's newest book, Eat the Cookies...Buy the Shoes. I was rereading it again today and I felt the need to share this.

I want to hear what you are celebrating and what are you doing to celebrate it? For me, I am still recovering after a doctor's visit yesterday. I have a couple more weeks to take it easy and slow and go like the turtle. I did get a refill on my pain meds for those days when I wake up feeling great and over do it. I really pay for it in the end. So I am celebrating by having a small slice of brownie and milk like Deb suggested to me in an email because I have made it through the worst part. I am coming home finally!

Please share your ways with me, I think it would really inspire us all and remind us we all need to take time to celebrate the little things we do each day that get us through life. Can't wait to read all your comments.

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Speaking of celebrating.... Here are the winners of copies of the book, Green Like God! If you can please email me your mailing information, I can get the book out to you. The winners are:

Greg C at Greg's General Store
Michelle at Psalm 104:24
Niecy at LiveLoveLaugh

Don't forget winners, NO P.O. Boxes and Congratulations again. Tell me how you are going to celebrate your win!

Everyone else, remember tell me what you are going to celebrate today in your ordinary day and how you are going to do it in my comments!

15 comments:

Danae Hudson said...

My husband and I celebrate PATHursday by doing a little dance every Thursday. (The PATH is a train we take and they have PATHursday where they hand out little cards)

We've also started celebrating Saturdays since I've been working so late (still there now at almost 8pm!) and I am celebrating that my boss just gave a bunch of my tasks to other people! God is good!!

He & Me + 3 said...

I wish I could learn to celebrate dusting...LOL I just dislike it so much:)
Stop by my blog if you get a chance...I am having a giveaway today.
Hugs,
Mimi

Parsley said...

I'm not really feeling like celebrating after loosing our dog but I do give God glory for all the good things.

Hmmm....I celebrate blogging buddies by having an extra cup of tea while reading tonight.

Hugs.

Mich said...

Celebrating that it is the weekend and I am able to spend quality and quantity time with my family.

Great post!

So glad you are feeling better every day.

prayers and blessings

Frugal Tumbleweed Acres said...

I celebrate the flowers and trees. God's beautiful tapestry is all around us if we just look and enjoy. Simple, yes, but oh so breathtaking.
I celebrate each of my loved ones and seeing them all. Such joy, allowed to me by the Lord.
Marj

wendy said...

Reminds me of a book I have called Plain and Simple --about the Amish.
It too reminds us to "celebrate the everyday".
when doing dishes, focus on those dishes and make is pleasureable

it is a good idea to celebrate something simple every day. I need to think on how I am going to do that better.
I fall into depression kind of easily, and I truly have to TALK my way out of it and find the beautiful in my life----it is always there
and that is worth celebrating

wendy said...

oh, and I am sorry you are not feeling well.
I am sure that brownie and glass of milk was much enjoyed

Denise said...

My husband and I celebrate the fact that when he almost died on Christmas Eve, God brought him back. We celebrate that everyday, by expressing our love to God and each other.

Beth E. said...

I am just now reading your post, Kat, but I am already prepared to answer!

I celebrated the beautiful weather we had today by taking a walk along the greenbelt in our park. It was wonderful!

I celebrate the ordinary once a week. I treat myself to a 30-minute massage with a licensed massage therapist. She has done wonders for my neck and shoulders. I scrimp and save in other areas of my life, just so I can have that treat...it's worth every penny! :-)

Rita said...

Oh Kat, the book "The Wife's Tale" came today and I am so excited to read it. I just wanted to thank you again for entering me in the giveaway and for sending the book. I will think of you when I read it and will treasure it as a gift from you. I've put your name inside of the book!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

That is a great reminder. We always do birthdays, anniversary, etc. Of course when something special happens we celebrate that too! We almost always go out for dinner on those occasions. We need to make more days special.

Steph T. said...

Great thought to celebrate the ordinary! Thanks!
Loveya
Steph

The Red Brick Farmhouse said...

Hi, Kat~

Today I am celebrating LIFE! I praise God that He has graciously given me and my family another day TOGETHER!

I forever stand in awe of HIM!

Blessings~
Laura

Unknown said...

I'm celebrating my family and friends and how they share and continually love and encourage me.

Doreen McGettigan said...

What a lovely blog to visit..I love spring cleaning because I feel like getting rid of the clutter in my house some how removes the clutter from my mind..