The Art of Celebration

It is almost Christmas! Celebration is in the air. Excitement sparkles in the eyes of little children. Friends share their joy at being together as they celebrate at parties and gatherings. Music and twinkling lights add their magic.

I have been reflecting on the role of celebration in my life. Since the launch of my web site just one week ago, I have had abundance showered on me. My arms are flung wide open to receive love and acknowledgment.

And, I am aware of a mix of emotions and thoughts at this time. During the time leading up to the web site launch, I courageously asked for support in technical and emotional realms. This was a powerful time of creativity and partnership for me.

Post-Launch arrived. Now what? I knew that this could be a time when I might feel ‘let-down’ and empty. I thought back to my past experiences of pushing myself to achieve a goal. When I completed my goal, I found myself experiencing a loss of energy, and a sense of being adrift with no goal in mind. I wanted to have a different experience this time!

I chose to ask for support again. In conversation with my coaching colleagues I was reminded that there is no limit to how often I ask for help. I had not ‘used up my quota’ in the area of receiving. So, here is my story of celebrating!

I am celebrating that I am proud of what I have accomplished. Even if others’ don’t comment on my site or compliment me, all is well. I am the source of my own approval and compliments are the ‘icing on the cake’ for me. The ‘cake’ is perfect and tastes yummy without the icing!

I am celebrating to mark this stage of my journey. It is a time to pause and reflect on my progress. I started with a dream. Having a web site seemed out of reach for me. This was for other coaches, not me. I didn’t know where to start. Who did I think I was to imagine I could do this? I was filled with fear, and in the comparison game I was sadly lacking. A pattern was revealed on my journey of self-discovery and emergence as a coach, a writer and a business woman. I was able to let go of the story that I would not be able to reach this goal. I was enough!

I am celebrating that I am inviting others to celebrate with me. Courage and vulnerability were stronger than the negative voices in my head. Voices that said, ‘you are taking up too much space by celebrating. You are being selfish. You must be insecure if you need to plan your own celebration party.’

Today I am naming myself ‘Queen of Celebration’. Celebrating is an act of gratitude, self- love and connection with others. It is a powerful action that declares, ‘Reaching this goal is incredibly important. I can reach my goals and accomplish what I set out to do.’

Celebrating with others leads to what I call the ‘gift exchange’. As I share my joy and excitement, others are drawn to describe times when they have reached a goal. We then celebrate their achievement, big or small. This increases our connection with each other, and gives strength and hope for future goals.

As I celebrate this step in my coaching business, I also celebrate you. My heart is full of gratitude to you for your support. Thank you for being part of my community. For visiting my new virtual home. And for the love we can share with each other and those dear to us.

What are you celebrating? How do you celebrate? I invite you to share your comments with me.

Merry Christmas to you!