Vicky Trill
There is more to living well than being active and eating healthy food; a lot more, actually. Another building block of living well is “celebration”, and I realized it one day last week as I turned the corner from Ranch Road to Government Street. On this corner in Ashcroft near the school is a rotating display, and every time I look at the display it brings a smile to my face. It somehow makes my walk a little lighter, and my attitude a little prouder.
Each display has a theme: I have seen a spring theme display with flowers and happy spring slogans, and a “Hats off to the HUB” display giving kudos to the Society that has turned the former elementary school into a community centre of sorts. Most recently I looked and saw a “celebration of Canada Day” display!
Celebrating is an important building block to wellness; and why wait for a birthday or Christmas time to celebrate? Finding the everyday ways to celebrate is truly living well!
I asked someone the other day what thought makes them happy. Their answer was “A smile.” I pondered that for a moment, and have to agree. Such a simple thing, a smile, and yet what happiness and encouragement it brings to those who are the recipients of it.
Last weekend my family joined five other families for a campout. Some years ago we were chatting about how we scarcely see each other, and someone came up with the idea that we get together one weekend every year to celebrate our friendship. It was named the “celebrate life weekend”, and that is exactly what we do. That weekend is always a highlight of my year!
Don’t wait for the celebration to come to you. Find ways to celebrate every day, and in purposeful ways. If you aren’t sure what I mean, take a drive to the corner of Ranch and Government and let the celebration begin!