By Connie Hertz
The photo shown here is one of the many from my 60th birthday celebration last Sunday. Hale, myself, two of our grandchildren, Gavin and Phoebe and Hale’s son, Gabe, are in front of a wall of photos of me from my younger years.
My daughter Abby, helped make my milestone birthday celebration, so very special. She did all of the decorations, made the invitations using her own art, and spent countless hours putting it all together, so I could have a wonderful celebration of my life! Thank you so much Abby! You are amazing!
The very first thing Abby did as I walked in the door of my beautiful party, was to put the festive headband on me and the little badge with my senior picture on it, shown in this photo. I wore them for most of the party. I found myself feeling very humbled and very honored throughout the party and afterward, with tears welling up in my eyes for the people who wished me well and who came to help celebrate me.
When it was suggested to me by one of my coaches and mentor, Marcia Wieder, over two years ago, that I needed to throw myself a big 60th birthday party, and really celebrate me, I had many mixed feelings about this.
I don’t think most of us, myself included, are taught to celebrate ourselves. Were you taught that?
I’m ending my new 7 part Master Class Living In The Glow, this week with just this topic, Celebrating yourself. We must first love ourselves to be able to celebrate ourselves. Make sense?
It’s still not the most familiar thing for me to do, only, as I have done the research putting my content together for this last class, I know it’s important for each of us to learn to do. We can celebrate very small things, large things, accomplishments and successes, and we can also celebrate some failures we have, knowing that they provide an opportunity for us to learn and grow.
I think life is a process, a journey, and learning to celebrate ourselves is part of this journey.
Do you just maybe celebrate yourself one time a year on your birthday? Maybe not even then?
What are some ways you can celebrate you on a regular basis? Perhaps take the time just for you, to do something that makes your heart sing? Something you find great pleasure in doing? As small as a quiet walk, a massage, spending time with others that you find yourself laughing and being lighthearted with, are just a few suggestions.
Slow down and take your time to enjoy your present moments. Really take it all in. Find the appreciation for what life has to offer you!
Share with me below some things you do or can do, to celebrate yourself regularly.
I wish for each of you moments of celebrating yourself,
Connie
Connie, it was great you had such fun opportunities to celebrate your birthday! Every day we’re given is a gift and that opportunity to celebrate a birthday–especially a decade-changer–is a great thing to do. I appreciate the great gratitude you exude toward those who helped you celebrate.
In celebrating myself, I find it important to start with a heart of gratitude to my Creator and to those who make my life rich. As I think about it, when we celebrate ourselves, we are really celebrating the cumulative impact of all who have shaped us; making sure self-celebration acknowledges others seems to keep it healthy and meaningful.
P.S. Happy Birthday.
Thank you Nancy! All so true! Yes, when we each celebrate ourselves, we indeed are celebrating the sum total of who we are and all of our experiences and people who have impacted our lives. Many blessings to you!!
Connie