Weekly Inspiration: The Joy of Celebrations

My latest article for ProHealth's Inspiration Corner, The Joy of Celebrations, was published last week just in time for a wonderful season of small occasions perfect for chronic illness-sized mini celebrations. Celebrating these special days brings unexpected joy into otherwise routine days, especially in the dreary days of winter. Check out the article for lots of specifics on how we celebrate and how you can, too, regardless of your physical condition.

This weekend is perfect for this article because Sunday is Valentine's Day! It doesn't matter if you are alone or with a spouse, partner, or friend, you can still celebrate this day devoted to love. It doesn't need to be focused on romantic love - celebrate love for your friends, your family, your parents, your children, or even your pets! Change into red pajamas (I will definitely be wearing my heart socks and heart earrings) and with the help of your loved ones, hang some hearts on the walls or windows, watch some love-centric movies (again, any kind of love), or read a wonderful novel about different kinds of love (here's a list of my favorites). And don't forget the chocolate!

Our Valentine's Day treats

We'll have both of our young adult sons home tomorrow morning (a rarity), so we're having strawberry-chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast and we have little goodie bags for each of them filled with treats (an old tradition at our house). My older son, who has ME/CFS along with 3 tick infections and battles chronic yeast overgrowth, has sugar-free peanut butter cups and extra-dark chocolate in his bag. We'll also hang hearts in their doorways like we did when they were little (though it won't be much of a surprise because they will both be up later than us tonight!).

Enjoying chocolate fondue on Valentine's Day

And if you miss celebrating Valentine's Day, there are plenty of other opportunities coming up to add some special joy to your life - St. Patricks' Day, First Day of Spring, Easter, Cinco de Mayo...even President's Day on Monday! And when there are no special occasions coming up and you are in need of a celebration, make up your own or check out this list of Special Days. Who knew that today was Tortellini Day and Wednesday is Random Acts of Kindness Day (and next Saturday is Handcuff Day - huh)?

Everyone could use a little extra joy in their lives, especially those of us living within the restrictions of chronic illness every day. It doesn't take much effort to make any day a special occasion and a reason to celebrate!

Check out the suggestions in the article and tell me - how do YOU celebrate the small stuff?