Make Birthdays Special

Make Birthdays Special
A daily reflection from my upcoming book
Joy: There’s No Reason Not To
Lessons from Under My Mother’s Roof
by Todd Keough


My Mom always has made birthdays very special. It consists of a favorite meal, a cake, and presents but much more important than that it is in opportunity to allow those we love friends and family to show how much they cherish us. It is an opportunity to acknowledge our birth and see what a blessing we have been in others lives. We also must do the same for others and let them know how much we appreciate that they were born and how much they mean to us in our lives. We get so hung up on years and ages when in reality the fact that we have made it another year shows that we are growing and learning and becoming stronger. We also get to push past that myth that younger is better and be who we are at this age and in this year. By celebrating birthdays we help to show others how to grow with grace, love, and dignity.

World:
Where is it that we celebrate birthdays who have we celebrated birthdays for? Can I take that sense of my birth and the way that I have grown into the world and share it with others? How can I acknowledge the births of others with love and really allow them to see how much I care?

Reflect, write, and take action.

Self:
How can I acknowledge my own birth and allow others to celebrate who I am and give them the opportunity to love and cherish me? How can I even inside myself acknowledge the beautiful depth of my age and my being? Do I allow others to show their affection and give them the chance to know the wisdom and grace I have from the years I have lived whether it is 20 or 100?

Reflect, write, and take action.

Prayer:
The one who has given me life and birthed me either with the energy of the universe or more deeply with a personal beautiful relationship. Please allow me the opportunity to love others by acknowledging how much their lives mean to me. Allow me to live with grace and dignity and be a living example of the life we have been given. 

Affirmation:
When I get the opportunity I will help celebrate the life of someone else and tell them how much their birth means to me and to my life. I will acknowledge the depth of their existence in my life. I also will be happy and proud of my birth and thank myself for continuing to work on who I am and living with grace and dignity.

Celebrate People's Accomplishments

Celebrate People's Accomplishments
A daily reflection from my upcoming book
Joy: There’s No Reason Not To
Lessons from Under My Mother’s Roof
by Todd Keough

It is so important to celebrate when people accomplish something it allows the to feel appreciated and that they have really done something. We are so critical of one another in this society we always are told what we are doing wrong or how we can do something better. It is crucial that we hear and our acknowledged we do in the world. A job promotion, a graduation, a new house, a beautiful enriching discovery of the depth of who someone is. We need to celebrate the accomplishments of those we love so they know how deeply we appreciate them. We also need to celebrate ourselves. We are so critical in our heads and can be so negative and self-deprecating. We allow all these voices to damage are sense of self worth or feel we have not done a good enough job . So, when you do something celebrate yourself. It can in any way that you would like and in any means that celebrates how much you did.

World:
Who in my life has accomplished something that needs to be celebrated? How do I celebrate those in my life? Do I believe in celebration? How can I be a positive influence in others lives and allow some of the negativity to be shut off by praising and celebrating rather that critiquing?

Reflect, write, and take action

Self:
What have I done lately that needs to be celebrated? Is there some minor victory that has happened in my life that needs to be acknowledged and celebrated and how can I do that? DO you deserve you believe to be celebrated ask that deep beautiful part of your soul that know you deserve love and celebration?

Reflect, write, and take action

Prayer:
The one who celebrates and acknowledges all the good we do please help me be a positive force in the world and to help people shut out the negative voice in their heads and their hearts. Allow me to know myself more fully and more deeply help me celebrate who I am and who I have become. Thank you for this day where I can celebrate all aspects of who I am.

Affirmation:
Today I will find one way to celebrate someone in my life bringing them some joy and positivity. I also will celebrate myself by doing one beautiful special thing for myself. I will give myself a celebration.

I Always Have An Ear To Listen

I Always Have An Ear To Listen

My Mom taught me that sometimes all we need is an ear to listen to us and to hear

what we have to say. She knew that it was not always about giving advice but about

truly listening with every part of her being. You could feel her listening to the way

her eyes engaged with you and the way she softly reached out to hold you. She could

hold you in her presence just with a short soft glance and even some small words of

encouragement I hear you honey. I love you.