Robin Gilman

Celebrate!

I identify as an optimist, who has tended to see the glass not just half full, but mostly full! However, the last few years have seen not only myself, but other extreme optimists, disheartened by events unfolding in our country and in the world.

The other day, however, I was reading a children’s picture book called “Jamberry”, which is a joyous celebration of berries, and I was reminded of how many wonderful things there are in the world to celebrate.

Berries! I often call them “God’s candies” – they are so good and there is such a variety!

Books! I can’t begin to express how wonderful books are to me – whether they’re educational, helping me learn useful things, or a good fictional escape in which I meet new people in new places, or …

Birds! Watching them soar fills me with awe. Hearing their song fills me with delight.

Water! Refreshes, brings life. I can swim in it, travel on it.

I could make a list many pages long of the things there are to celebrate in this world, but I’ll end with two important ones:

People! We all know people who are kind, or have other qualities we appreciate that make us want to celebrate them.

And finally:

God, our Creator, the giver of all good gifts!

So let’s take our place in bringing light to this dark world and do whatever it is that we are personally called to do, but while we do so, let’s seek to celebrate all the good things worthy of celebration.

Maybe start by making a list…