Is there such a thing as being too optimistic?

Last December was my Grandma's 89th birthday. One of my cousins asked her if she would like to have a big party. She responded "No, that's ok. We'll have one next year for my 90th." I know what you are thinking. This lady has it right; she gets full credit for her optimism. It begs the question, though: Is she being overly optimistic? An even better question is, why not celebrate now? We could have an almost 90 birthday bash. Her life isn't any less valuable this year for reaching 90 than it was last year for reaching 89.

When I heard this story I was prompted to think about all the things in my life I haven't celebrated either because I was anticipating the next phase/step or because it just seemed too small; there was always something bigger to come along. The last time I checked, there is no Biblical footnote that says you only have a finite number of celebrations in your life so make them count! Why don't we celebrate every achievement no matter the size? If it's a significant and noteworthy achievement, go big; if it is small and personal, celebrate it in a small and personal way. Hell, celebrate it however you bloody well want!

Last weekend we had a garage sale. We made about $100 and got rid of 10 boxes full of stuff we didn't need or want anymore. Even though the day was exhausting and we didn't make a fortune, we made ourselves some tropical drinks and BBQd some steaks in recognition of having achieved something we had been talking about for 5 years. We both dreaded it but we finally did it. Margaritas, here we come.

I have been anticipating my 40th birthday for a couple of years now. Ask anyone close to me and they will tell you that I have had this planned out. 40 doesn't scare me, I am excited to start a new chapter in my life. It feels like when I turned 40 I had the Universe's permission to pursue the life I really want. The only thing I regret is not doing it sooner! Why did I wait? Why did I need permission? My life wasn't any less valuable at 39 than it is today. How many celebrations could I have had over the last 40 years but didn't because they weren't noteworthy? Got your kids to bed on time for the first time in a week? That's worth a high 5 and a few episodes of Sex and the City! I might even create a star chart for myself like I have for my kids. A star for everything I do (even if I'm supposed to do it, anyway) and use those stars to reward myself with the things I love. Not to say I need to keep track to reward myself, I know I work hard; but keeping track will remind me to stay balanced. If I have accumulated 100 gold stars but haven't gone to a movie in a month, something is very wrong! It means I have stopped paying attention and that I am falling tragically behind what's happening on the Big Screen. Gasp!

I don't know anyone who doesn't have a story about a person who worked hard and saved, did very little adventuring and traveling (or whatever was really important to them) all in the name of the retirement payday only to have it swept out from under them by illness, boredom, depression or just physical limitations. Ack! A lifetime of all work and no play are down the drain because they put off celebrating until it was too late. I'm not saying I haven't planned for my future, I am just saying I refuse to put all my eggs in the future basket. Since my 89th birthday wasn't guaranteed to me at birth, I am choosing to live by my grandma's wisdom and "S*** or get off the pot." You don't have to be an optimist to know that those are words to live by. I love you, Gram.