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What does it mean to celebrate?

Writer's picture: KeriKeri

"People of our time are losing the power of celebration. Instead of celebrating, we seek to be amused or entertained. Celebration is an active state, an act of expressing reverence or appreciation. To be entertained is a passive state – it is to receive pleasure afforded by an amusing act or a spectacle…. Celebration is a confrontation, giving attention to the transcendent meaning of one’s actions.”

-Abraham Joshua Heschel


I recently read this quote by Abraham Heschel, quoted on a blog post titled, "The Power of Celebration" by Scott Savage. I had never heard of Heschel but briefly looked into him - according to Stanford University, "Abraham Joshua Heschel was a Jewish theologian and philosopher with a social consciousness that led him to participate in the civil rights movement." He was well respected by Martin Luther King Jr., and marched alongside King in the Selma to Montgomery march, where he said he felt like his "legs were praying."


I love that this man who was actively committed to peace and reform was also actively committed to celebration. I love that he calls celebration a "confrontation," where we are to give attention to the meaning of our actions. And I love that Heschel explains the difference between passive and active states of being - between only receiving, and appreciatively expressing.


Heschel's words help put into words my own thoughts about what it means to celebrate.


I believe this truth:

To celebrate is to express gratitude.


Maybe this celebration is for a particular person, or perhaps for a special event. Maybe it is for a place that holds deep meaning. Maybe the celebration is for achieving some measure of success or accomplishment.


How can we be truly ACTIVE and appreciative, not passive about the people, events, places, and accomplishments in our lives? What keeps us from whole-heartedly celebrating these things?


If our definition of "celebration" is to hold a party, invite a dozen guests, provide a cake and confetti and entertainment, then we will find it impossible live in an active state of celebration. It is simply too much: too exhausting and too time-consuming. Unrealistic. Ungenuine.


But if we can shift our definition of celebrations to expressions of gratitude or confrontations of attention, many options become doable. Several ideas immediately come to mind:

  • Say it out loud. Tell someone. Turn to your friend, partner, spouse, child, parent, even a stranger and give words to the feelings inside of you:

"The pink and orange colors in this sunset are magnificent!"

"I love how you looked while you played the flute in band today! Your eyes sparkled!"

"I love listening to you play the piano. You might not think you play well, but you have come so far and listening to you play is so peaceful for me."

  • Write in your journal. There is purity and beauty in privately, sincerely acknowledging gratitude for someone or something. Private expressions of gratitude are still celebrations! Writing down how we feel requires our complete attention and our active participation. Keep a Celebration Journal and record instances that you do not want to forget, moments that you are grateful for, and how you felt in those moments.

  • Write a note for someone. Sometimes it's easier to give expression and clarity to your feelings if you have some time to organize your thoughts on paper. If you're celebrating another person, consider telling him what your favorite thing is about him, what strengths he has, how he makes you a better person, and how you feel when you are with him.

  • Frame it, whatever it is. Frame the diploma, the certificate of achievement, the painting, first paycheck, blue ribbon. Display those shoes with 300 miles on them, the black belt, the dried garden herbs. Save a prominent spot on a wall or shelf for something that reminds you of something you did, someone you once were, somewhere you were once whole. You don't have to keep these things on display forever, rather just as long as they hold meaning. These reminders can help you give thanks again and again for moments that were truly wonderful and life-affirming.

I hope you consider what it means to you to celebrate, and I hope you are more intentional about doing it. Be active, be genuine, and be grateful.


Love,

Keri


Want a little help celebrating another person? You can download my free "Give Better Gifts" sheet HERE!

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