What's So Special about New Years?

This morning I was noticing my thoughts - little stresses about my plans for the evening... Whether I would create sufficient memories to savor for years to come, if I would be able to come up with the perfect New Year's resolutions by midnight, and if these resolutions would be profound enough to change the outcome of the upcoming year...etc. etc. etc.

And then I started to laugh an my own internal silliness. I've had this moment of amusement several times in my life, and have (more often than not) found holidays to be a bit absurd. Not that I have anything at all against parties or having an amazing celebratory day. But since childhood I've found it puzzling why we would wait an entire year to celebrate only ONE "birthday", or ONE New Years, or ONE Christmas, or ONE Mother's Day... Why wait 364 days to blow out some candles and eat our weight in cake? Why slosh through 12 months just to spend 1 minute throwing confetti, drink champagne and kissing at midnight? Why not EVERY day? What keeps us from waking up every single day and throwing a party? Why are we always waiting and waiting and waiting for the time that's socially acceptable to shout our own greatness to the world or to appreciate our very existence?

So on this New Years, I'm going to celebrate! Celebrate with gusto, passion and cheers! But tomorrow, I only hope that I'll do the same (perhaps not outwardly, but at least inwardly). Simply for the fact that I'm alive. I have this very moment. I can create the most amazing possibilities with the gift of 24 magical hours. And an ordinary day is far from ordinary for me, and is FAR too precious to let slip by without at least a smile and a big YIPPPEEEEE!!!!!

How will YOU celebrate each and every day this year? Give yourself that gift....

Wishing all of you the happiest day ever! (and many, many more...)

© 2006 Stephanie McWilliams