CHOOSE Joy in Celebrations!

I’ve written about it, tweeted about it, texted about it, prayed about it, cried over it, reflected on it, given thanks for it and rejoiced in it! If you’re following me on any (other) platform, you know I have rejoiced over and over again after earning promotion at tenure at my academic home.

Those within academia – or with close ties to those who are – get what a significant accomplishment this is. Let me pause here and say if I hadn’t earned tenure … if something – ANYTHING – had shifted during the process, people would have known. We would have talked about it. I would have complained about it … questioned it. But that is NOT the case so I’ve taken the same liberty and energy in my accomplishment! Not only is earning promotion with tenure a major milestone, but to have done this with JOY, with continued hope, with promise, with anticipation and expectation of GREATER still to come warms my heart one million times over.

So this month I’m encouraging you to find joy in celebrating! Celebrate the big, big things! Celebrate the seemingly small things like gainful employment, loving relationships, reliable transportation … your health! Celebrate your victories at home and at work! Celebrate the new collaboration or grant submitted (even as you wait for it to be funded) or page typed! Celebrate one pound lost and even one pound gained during a much-needed vacation. Celebrate having a warm bed at night and food on your table. This month I invite you to celebrate in every single way, EVERY single day all the wonderful and beautiful and adventurous parts of our lives.

And even as I write this, I join hands, as well as hearts, of those standing in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. I share this message from Michael Bernard Beckwith that reflects my thoughts on our call to “bring heaven to Earth” and some of my favorite pictures from my most recent celebration time in Caye Caulker and Placencia, Belize. As your gifts and unique talents are manifested, even during times of war and political strife, may you celebrate being a beneficial presence to this world.