Behind the Scenes - Celebrate Life

It was going to be a cleaning kind of day. A haul-all-the-crap-out-and-get-it-organized or throw it away kind of day. It was also a day of anticipation – this unprecedented cleaning was brought on by the idea that an online friend would be coming for an in real life visit. In three and half months. Yes. It’s going to take me about that long to get it done. This “guest room” hasn’t served that purpose for about six years. In the absence of annual visits from my mom, it has transitioned from guest space, to office/workout room, to that place we put everything that won’t fit, to the room we can’t let anyone see. But that’s all going to change.

My sweet sister volunteered to come help be my hands and fingers and other moving parts that aren’t working so well right now. Not to mention lending her objective eye and fantastic gifts for efficiency organization. And while she was on her way, I was so inspired, that I started on another small corner of the house – the back end of my closet that hasn’t seen the light of day in many months.

I used the word “amazing” a lot that day as I posted updates on Facebook about our progress. And it was. For good and for not-so-good, it really was amazing to discover all that we did. I knew I was a saver (not quite a hoarder – it’s not that ugly yet), but something hit me as I dug deep and threw things out.

I save too many things for special days.

Special days that never materialize. Because I keep waiting for someday. It was oddly ironic to find two bottles of brand spanking new philosophy™ body wash called Celebrate Life and Celebrate You languishing in my closet celebrating absolutely nothing. As I read the little blurb on the labels, I was reminded again about why it’s so very important to seize the day. To make every day the special day. To celebrate now.

Celebrate Life

Every day is a gift just waiting to be unwrapped. Miracles can be found around every corner, when we open our eyes wide enough to see them. A tiny seed finds hope in a bloom. A fierce storm finds peace at the end of a rainbow. A wandering caterpillar finds new life, when it discovers its wings. An innocent child finds delight when he discovers his toes. Life is worth celebrating when the small miracles of today bring us hope for tomorrow.

Celebrate You

You are one of a kind, there will never be another you. Celebrate you. You have gifts and talents that are uniquely yours. Celebrate you. You are a star child sent directly from the heart of God. Celebrate you. You are a light in the life of those closest to your heart. You make a difference in the lives of many. Celebrate you. You are admired and adored, and you don’t even know it. Celebrate you. You are loved like crazy. Celebrate you.

Because seriously – what was I waiting for? A better bathtub? Better hair? A better body? Let’s not laugh. What did it say right there? Every day is a gift just waiting to be unwrapped. Yes it is. Not waiting to be kept waiting in the back of a closet for “just the right time.” Not waiting at all. Right now.

This day, I’m committing to no more purchases that I hold for only special occasions. There is only so much of this life I am allotted, and I want to enjoy all of it and bless everyone in it as much as I can while I’m in it. Because the other thing I need to remember is that it’s not just about me.

It’s about connecting with my world and with my community. With the people who make me smile and make me laugh. With the people who hold me when I need to cry. And the people I haven’t even met yet who need me to step out of my comfort zone and make a difference in their lives.

It happens now.

Time to come out of the wrapped up, closeted dark, and into the light of the real world.
Time to be part of the world.
Time to participate and live and celebrate and give thanks.
Time to look for miracles.
Time to be the miracle.



I'm linking up with Crystal Stine and company again today; joining the Behind the Scenes link up. A place to make a connection beyond the Pinterest perfect ideals; to look past the edges of the photo to the real life behind it; to say hi, this is me in all my messy real-ness. Sounds like a good time to me.

I'd love to connect with you some more - stop on by the Three Bees Facebook Page or connect with me on Twitter @3BeesBlueBonnet. Let's continue the conversation!