It Actually Is a Big Deal

There are seasons in nature and in personal growth and expansion — learning to celebrate our own wins is essential to living a happy life

—

I don’t know about you, but I didn’t grow up taking up a lot of space. It wasn’t my nature; besides I was trying to fly below the radar. In school I was misunderstood, made to feel stupid; like I was lucky to be passing from one grade to the next. I didn’t learn the way others did and often got lost in the shuffle.

While that really isn’t the point of this newsletter and while that was just being the product of growing up in the 70’s, where much went unnoticed — I know I’m not ‘stupid’ — I just see life through a different lens. And personally, I think it’s a pretty magical one.

But it all goes hand in hand because even so, I still have a hard time celebrating myself. Case in point: When my bestie asked me insistently, “What are we doing to celebrate your 10^th year?” And I repeatedly shrugged my shoulders...she took things into her own hands.

Early one Saturday morning she and True (my daughter) showed up at the café with big ass silver balloons and decorations and got down to business — ribbons, balloons, garlands galore.

I stood back and told them I had work to do in the kitchen, but their energy was contagious. I just laughed watching them from a distance trying to tape, string and detangle from it all. They were putting so much love into this seemingly silly little project because they were celebrating me, our sweet café and all that we have created in this past decade as a community.

As they ran in and out checking to see if the large number balloons proudly displaying ‘10’ were hanging at just the right height in each window, I found myself drawn to the festivity of it all. In fact, I got excited.

The beautiful energy sucked me right in. I even began to breathe it in and acknowledge, Yes, I created this. And you you know? It is something to be celebrated!

Before I knew it, I was standing outside taking pictures and basking in all of it. I felt giddy. Shortly thereafter someone I know walked by and started chatting but ignored all the festivity unfolding. After a few moments, he asked, “Oh, what’s going on?” I excitedly responded, “We’re celebrating our 10^th Anniversary.” To which I got a, “Oh.”

And that was it... “Oh?” 

For a moment I felt like the air simultaneously drained from my spirit and the balloons. I felt unseen. I felt that my accomplishments were insignificant and unimportant...ah, hello old wounds.

And then I recalibrated, exhaled and let that go. His reaction had nothing to do with me, so I gave it back to him. Return to sender. I wasn’t going to waste time analyzing it, making up a story, assigning meaning to something that wasn’t mine to control.

Nope, instead. I just observed it and thought to myself, isn’t that curious?

I also don’t want this to be about him. I don’t know what was on his mind or what he was going through. What was mine to control was my reaction and most importantly not allowing it to dampen my party!

So inside I went and carried on decorating.

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE celebrations. I love celebrating others...I’m just not so comfortable being in that spotlight. However, I’m outing myself here because I recognize that life is to be celebrated — the big moments and the small — they all matter and string together to tell the story of your life journey.

Yes, the world feels harsh in so very many ways. It’s a constant undercurrent that while we need to recognize it, we get to choose how to respond and navigate it.

Look for helpers. Look for a better feeling. Look for something to celebrate...especially when it feels hard. Lift another person’s day by celebrating them. I don’t want to miss a single one. It’s one of the aspects I love most about connecting with customers — I love being invited into their stories, their dreams, their celebrations.

Spread your wings, sing out loud, write that book, build that business, share your gifts. This is what we are here to do and share.

And just know that I’ll be cheering you on jumping up and down and clapping loudly for every win. I don’t get jealous, I get inspired. Good for him/her! I love that for him/her! You know why? Because it means that it’s available for each of us too.

Life is too short to play small. Come on, we don’t have any time to waste, the world is waiting for you. So, what’s it going to be?

Listen to what is stirring within you. Block out the noise and the opinions of others. March to the beat of your own celebrations. Follow your gut wherever it is trying to lead you and then celebrate the hell out of it — big ass silver balloons and all!

And did I mention how good it feels in every cell of your body?

"Lea" by Luna (left), Best Review by Aldric (right)

—Lea Haas, Owner, The Garden Cafe Woodstock