During NaNoWriMo in 2021, I focused on ‘reading for writing’ including copying sentences that caught my eye. I don’t do this regularly anymore, just when a phrase really grabs my attention. That happened at a Thursday morning gathering that I attend. We read from ‘The Book of Awakening” by Mark Nepo. The phrase about choosing to “be a celebrity or celebrate being” is from June 23.
That line struck me as a good one to ponder and remember. The essay was about giving attention rather than striving to get as much as we can. June 23rd is the anniversary of the person who suggested the reading which seemed appropriate. A good marriage has each partner giving attention to their partner.
The idea of celebrating being resonates with me on many levels. I strive to find joy in life, in the ordinary things, in nature, in connections with family and friends. I also love to celebrate unusual things—like all the digits in the date being even. We threw an even party on February 2, 2000 with all the food being even, no three-layer cakes, but double-baked potatoes were good. We claimed bragging rights for having had a party every time all the digits first turned even in a year since August 29, 888. Then we had a party in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008, just so we could make the same claim in 2020.
Chances are good that we’ll continue this through 2028. We’ll never be famous for this, but we don’t care about that. It’s just another way to celebrate being. And, for me, I celebrate being by writing. And reading, even ‘reading to write.’