“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.”

- Oprah Winfrey

When was the last time you heard someone talk about joy or share just how amazing their lives are right now? Exactly. Joy and happiness seem to be one of the most elusive aspects of our lives and feels like a taboo topic pretty much on par with religion and politics in our conversations. The surprising paradox is that if you ask most people what they want out of life, the majority will answer "to be happy." If this is what most of us are aiming for, then it makes sense to put a little time and attention into how to consistently experience this in our lives. One of the easiest ways to do this is to celebrate and be grateful for the little things.
 

For instance, I was digging through my purse a few days ago and found a $50 dollar bill. Now there are three things you should know about me before I continue this story:

1. My loved ones have frequently described me as, "frugal AF"
2. I rarely carry cash.
3. If I somehow have more than a $5 spot on me, it ain't mine.

So imagine my elation at the discovery of this "big face" bill that miraculously made its way into my possession. My first thought, "Who's is this?!' My second thought - "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth ;) "

Now, imagine navigating all of life's experiences with that same enthusiasm and belief of something unexpectedly awesome being just around the corner.

Incorporating more random celebrations, high fives and feel good moments can actually help improve relationships, make us better at work, increase our happiness and help us maintain our motivation over time. As ambitious people, we can be so busy focusing on the big breakthroughs that we forget to give ourselves credit for the bite-sized improvements we've made or the mini wins we've racked up along the way. The resolution to this – celebrate all the time!