I want to encourage you to take time to celebrate. A year ago, on my 60^th birthday, I had a party to celebrate what I thought was the near completion of my first book, Finding Joy in the West: A Quest to Ride My Bike in All Fifty States. Sending my manuscript to my editor, Mari Ann, for a final run, warranted taking time to celebrate. (Click here to read that blog.)

I didn’t even have a publisher; still I took time to celebrate. I’m learning to celebrate milestones now because when I graduated from high school, I didn’t take time to celebrate. My summer job began the Monday after graduation. I would celebrate when I earned my bachelor’s degree. Before I graduated, however, I had already committed to a master’s program. Again, no time to celebrate. Then, I took my finals early because my teaching job required me to be in Georgia before the summer session ended.

So, the pattern of not celebrating milestones continued until I bought my first house. I had a party. Another party followed the completion of my doctorate. The same happened when I retired. Then, since my 60^th birthday coincided with my manuscript submission, I celebrated.

This year has been so busy with promoting my first book, writing my second, posting blogs and newsletters, traveling and making future travel plans, that I didn’t want to take time to celebrate. I realize, though, that as mid-year approaches, it is good to celebrate accomplishments, then focus on goals for the second half of the year. So tonight, I will celebrate.

A year ago, my book didn’t even have a title. Now, it is available online and in a few bookstores. As I celebrate, I encourage you to look back one year, five years, or even ten. Look at what you have accomplished and take time to celebrate.

You’ve heard about my accomplishments. I’d love to hear about yours. Please email me or comment here.

Thanks for being a part of this journey!

If you enjoyed reading this blog, I’d love your support in growing this community! Please share this with your friends, family, or anyone who might find it interesting. Your shares help me reach more people to help them find their joy.

Joy M. Walker