Click on the above photo to watch today’s video about the power of celebration. (Hint: if you naturally are drawn more to self-criticism than celebration, this one is for you!)
I am not a natural celebrator. I can forget if I am not careful to pause and drink in the milestones. (Correction: I notice other people’s milestones, just not my own. Click on the photo above for today’s video to hear more…)
But what we pay attention to grows.
It is the intentionality and care that creates a little ring around that moment and marks it as special. We celebrate with all our senses. In addition to the classic examples of a special meal, dessert, or glass of vino, even a lit candle or fresh bouquet can feel like a celebration.
Don’t be afraid to be generous with yourself.
Try this week’s guided meditation
Celebrate_Week 8 (The link to the audio file if you prefer to download it.)
I have heard hospice nurses talk about how sweet & celebration-worthy everything gets at the end. Sunrise, sunset and the hours in between. So I hope you will notice one simple way you showed up for yourself this summer, had a new experience, learned something, were touched by nature or another poignant moment. Pause and drink it in. Even better plan a special moment for yourself, snap a picture and/or share your experience as a comment below or over on my Bird in Hand Coaching Facebook group.
And know that I celebrate you. Whether this is your first video or you have been with me from the beginning. Whether you engaged every practice this summer or just tried one that one time. (Or might yet try today’s guided meditation …)
I celebrate your curiosity, your feedback about meditation, your sharing the posts with others. And more than anything I celebrate that hunger you bring to life, to be faithful to your gifts, to contribute with a capital C, and also to know how to reset and care well for yourself when stress builds.
For we gain nothing if we lose our quality of life at the hands of our ambition. Even if our ambition is about Serving big.
So it is my deep hope that you tuck one or more of these practices is your pocket. (You can see the whole review of the summer below.) That they might become part of your self-kindness repertoire. Not because you should but because they help you find your way home. And because that is the place from which you best share what you have with the world.
A bow from me to you,
Courtney
PS And with that I am off for two weeks of unplugged time. I try to take a digital detox every year in August, maybe you want to join me? But know come September I will be back with weekly mindbody posts and ready for new clients for my transformational coaching package. xo
“Thanks, Courtney, for your helpful meditations. I look forward to your Summer Meditation Challenge all year. You’re the only person so far that has been able to teach and inspire me to meditate. Thank you!” Margie
Thank you to Margie and others who shared their experiences this summer. The interwebs can feel lonely, I treasure your feedback and perspective. Please do take a quick moment to leave a comment below about how you enjoy celebrating and also about what you learned this summer in the Challenge. Who knows what you share may be exactly what another needs to hear! xo Courtney
Come on in. Feel the fresh and verdant air. Let’s detox your brain and nervous system so new ideas and iterations of you can bloom!
Join 500+ people from around the country who have participated in this free, 8 week online program to start or deepen a regular meditation practice. Even though this year’s Challenge has come to a close, enter your email to receive special meditation offers.
Xo Courtney
