OK, so today is my anniversary.
My wife and I are celebrating 211 months of marriage. For those of you math challenged, that translates into 17 years, 7 months. I guess you could call us dorks, because we celebrate the 29th of every month as an anniversary. We were married on a very rainy Southern California day, December 29, 2001.
On January 29, 2002 we wished each other happy anniversary. We skipped the 2 month anniversary, not because we wanted to, but because 2002 was not a leap year and therefore no 29th of February. But on March 29, 2002 we celebrated 3 months of wedded bliss.
That tradition continued each month, and as months turned into years, the 29th of each month became a point of celebration. We wish each other happy anniversary, and every so often one of us will stop to figure out just how many months its actually been.
Sounds cheesy, doesn’t it? Guess what, IT IS!!! It is extremely cheesy, and yes our friends poke fun at us given the fact we celebrate this on a monthly basis. But truth be told, I think it is important, and at least for my wife and I it has been woven into the fabric of who we are and what we value.
So let me ask you, what things do you make a point to celebrate? Celebration is important. Being able to stop and recognize achievement is good for the soul. Having that chance to celebrate accomplishment gives you the opportunity to reflect back on, and learn from that which was accomplished.
Within your work environment, I am confident there are goals that need to be met, sales quotas that need to be exceeded. Customers you desire to make your own that at the moment seem to be just out of reach. What reward do you allow yourself when you accomplish that which you set out to do?
I don’t spend a lot of time on Facebook as I think it is a waste of time, however this weekend was the exception as my sister had given birth to a son, and Facebook was the medium of choice she was using to update everyone on the progress and eventual birth. While I was scrolling through my feed to find updates from her, I saw a post from a guy I went to high school with. What struck me about the post was he had posted a picture from his wedding many years ago stating that he and his wife had forgotten that it was their anniversary, and it was close to midnight when they realized it.
I saw some humor in that, but then realized there was a bit of sadness that filled my mind. I celebrate my wife, I love her, I’m thrilled she sticks with me, I’ve loved doing life with her. I already know what we are doing for dinner on the big one, the 29th that happens to coincide with our actual anniversary wherein we will be celebrating 18 years together. I couldn’t imaging not knowing it was our date. The fact is, your iPhone will remind you if you put the information in correctly.
So what’s the lesson? I think it is a simple one, but one that is important none the less. Take time to celebrate. Be intentional about it. It doesn’t have to be as cheesy as what my wife and I do, but find those times that need to be recognized and recognize them.
Take a look at your goals and planning, and make a determination that when you achieve something on that list, you’ll take the time to celebrate it.
I promise you, if you get into the habit of celebrating the little things in life that others might see as inconsequential, you’ll be better suited when those bigger things are accomplished. People like to be around people who like to celebrate. So go ahead, celebrate your own accomplishments, but celebrate accomplishments of those around you as well.
Who knows, maybe the 29th of every month will take on a new significance for you like it has for me. For me, the bond created with my wife as a result of this simple act has had a profound impact on our lives, I know that when you start to celebrate the simple things in your life, you as well will start to see positive patterns emerge.
So go on, let’s make today a celebration.
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