Creating Your Own Celebration
What’s the best party or celebration you’ve ever been to? What made it so good? List the ingredients that created that special event. Now begin to create one of your own. Imagine this is like cooking. It is in a way… It’s being creative, like you would in the kitchen, garden, with sewing, or crafts.
The first ingredient might be people. Who (if anybody) will you invite? Who are people who support and love you no matter what? Who are those you can invite to some events, but not others, because they simply wouldn’t understand what you’re doing? Decide on those who you’d like to join you at this demarcation of your life.
Some rituals or ceremonies are best done just by yourself. When I left teaching, finally, I created a ceremony by going through all my saved papers, notes from kids and parents, curriculum, etc.. I built a fire in the fireplace, said a prayer and blessed my past. I’d had many wonderful years teaching. With each piece of paper, I read some of it, laughed, cried, or reminisced. Then I threw it into the fireplace with another blessing. It was a long, but powerful evening. I knew then that I’d finally let go of that past. It’s okay to create a ceremony without anyone else knowing about it. After all, you’re doing this for you.
Next, decide on the timing. What date and time will you celebrate? Will it be better in summer, fall, winter, or spring, day or night? Or does that even matter?
What things do you need to make this complete? Do you want others to bring something to share about this time in your life? I’ve been to several birthday and coming-of-age parties where we all participated in sharing our stories and blessings with the person who we were celebrating.
What is wonderful about celebrations, ceremonies, and rituals, is that you can do whatever you want to do with them! One of my friends created the most amazing wedding. She had rituals from most major religions and spiritual sects included. It was so delightful to see. It was the most global wedding I’ve ever been to. Everyone remarked how unique it was.
That’s what you want to do when you create your own celebration—to make it as unique as you are. It will support you—in body, mind, heart, and soul—toward moving on to the next stage of your life. Make it memorable!
