True confession: I spend a lot of time on social media. I’m aware of that and I’m trying to change. Some of it is work related, but honestly, much of it is not. However, I also find some wonderful posts and videos.
Recently I came across a TikTok that I saved. It was posted by the user Treacle.
Now if you’re not a dog owner or a dog lover (how can that even BE?), please stay with me. There is a point I’m trying to make here.
Here’s what it said:
“There’s one thing that dogs do better than anything on this planet. They celebrate absolutely anything.
If you grab your keys? Celebration.
Open the fridge? Celebration.
Walk back into the room after being gone for 20 seconds? Huge celebration.
They don’t wait for birthdays or big news or vacations.
Dogs treat everyday life like it’s worth getting excited about.
Heck, they wake up happy to be here. They sniff the air like it’s a miracle. They chase a ball like they’re in the Olympics. They roll in the grass like it’s a 5-star spa.
It’s impossible not to smile when you are around that kind of joy. And honestly, I think that’s one of the greatest gifts they give us. They remind us that life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful.
So, if you have a dog right now, enjoy the confetti they throw up in the air over the tiniest moments. That, I believe, is their way of teaching us to wake up and notice the good stuff.”
Now I know those words are about dogs but can’t we also apply that to ourselves?
How many of us never take the time to notice the good stuff?
How many of us wait for a birthday to celebrate, or a vacation?
Oh I’m guilty of this myself. I spent many years suffering from what I call the “Someday I’ll” disease.
“Someday I’ll find time to…”
“Someday I’ll take that trip.”
“Someday I’ll take care of myself.”
“Someday I’ll be happy.”
Why not make that day today?
Yes, there are many struggles we face. Sickness, sadness, or loss. However, I’ve found there are also many things to celebrate.
My grandchildren have helped me to open my eyes and see the joy in simply living. The oldest in Texas is excited when he wakes up to see what we’re going to do today. Do you wake up excited for what the day brings?
The youngest ones smile when I greet them excitedly. I try to do that every time I see them because I am truly excited. Do you get excited when you see someone you love?
And they all just seem to live in the moment. Do we live in the moment or stress out about ALL the things we have to get done today?
I realize we have more responsibilities than they have but I also think we miss many opportunities to just celebrate where we are and who we’re with at the moment.
I’m currently in Texas visiting my daughter, son-in-law and grandson. What did I catch myself doing the other day? Picking up my phone to check Facebook while I was hanging out with him after school. Fortunately I realized what I was doing and put it down to focus on him. I only see him a few times a year. What was I doing on my phone? Yes, a habit. One I need to break.
My daughter is a pre-K/K teacher in Texas. She told me a story about how two of her students were slow to get in line for lunch the other day. Normally that is an exciting time and the children can’t wait to get in line but these two suddenly realized they both had identical Band-Aids! They were excited and comparing them. My daughter just stood there and watched for a minute. The children were celebrating!
I know we are busy people and there is so much competing for our time and attention but this week I got to wondering: What are we missing out on in our daily lives because we don’t take the time to celebrate?
This week I’m really going to try to celebrate more. Celebrate friends. Celebrate a good meal. Celebrate life.
View the original TikTok by clicking here.
Miss any previous Sunday Columns? Catch up by clicking here.
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