Today, I would like to enlist your attention and ask the question “How are you celebrating life?”

 

I recently had the opportunity this past weekend to witness a celebration of life with a Birthday Party!

 

This Birthday was a combination of all those who recently turned 75 years old.  In addition, the party was held in Bay St. Louis Mississippi where my wife attended Catholic School from kindergarten to her Senior Year with many of her classmates.

 

As we listened and danced to the Music of Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday” I was able to watch the faces of not only my wife but also her classmates.

 

Life is short, therefore we must celebrate it!  Particularly with family and friends, as I was in various mixed companies.

 

Stevie Wonder Happy Birthday

 

I was honored for those who attended the celebration sacrificing their time and energy.

 

The other celebration was Mardi Gras in both New Orleans, LA, and in Pass Christian, MS.

 

Without a doubt, the Pass Christian Parade Celebration was the best.

 

The reason it was the best was because I was surrounded by family and friends that I had known for years.

 

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart.” – Helen Keller.

 

It was that comfort factor and watching the camaraderie that was associated with this particular parade of the people in Pass Christian.

 

When you have family and friends with homes close to the route and have attended Mardi Gras before you will understand what I’m saying.

 

It was like welcome and we’re so glad you are here at this time of the year to visit and be with us.

 

In my brother-in-law’s home, his wife has the Mardi Gras Tree all decked out and the house is festive.

 

It’s also a time for good eating and all-around relaxation before Lent begins on Wednesday.

 

In New Orleans, you saw the words and people using “Let the Good Times Roll” or in French “Laissez les bon temps rouler.”

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSX09kII0EU

 

It was a good time all around this weekend.

 

I asked upfront “How are you celebrating life?” Each of us makes decisions every day about how we want to live and must decide on the various celebrations to attend.

 

To the various people who attended the Birthday Celebrations, I made sure that I told each person thank you for attending.

 

I remember years ago when I was instructing resilience training and someone came to me with information about any subject, I should be grateful they chose me.

 

We choose people every day that we want to celebrate and those we don’t want to celebrate.

 

“Because life should be celebrated. We should remember the people who came before us, as much as the people who stood by our side.”

 

You should ask the questions why they chose you.

 

In a few days, I will begin my spiritual journey of Lent.

 

I desire to see things differently for the next forty-plus days until Easter.

 

By the way, the celebrations of the two parades for Mardi Gras were a good thing as people from all nationalities and backgrounds came together to have a good time.

 

There is a specific awareness each time I attend a Mardi Gras celebration or Birthday Party.

 

In both situations, there were plenty of smiles and laughter.

 

As I continue to age, I have learned the importance of smiling more.

 

Today, I challenge you to smile more often and enjoy life.  I’m reminded that Life is for the living!  I also encourage you to celebrate the people around you, because you never know if it is the last time, you will see them.

 

The month of March is upon us as we begin to celebrate the achievements of various Women for “Women’s History Month.”

 

Rosa Parks has said, “You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right.”