Hopeful Thinking - Saturday, April 22, 2023 - Celebrate Everything

What does it mean to celebrate? The origins of the word celebrate are actually unknown; something I’ve rarely encountered in my fascination with word history. It suggests that, rather than being assembled from existing word forms with known meanings, the term arose into existence as part of our origin languages in times before history. 

All of its oldest known appearances make note that it is universally used to describe a large group of people assembling for the purpose of honor and joy. 

To me, this is an indication of our inherent communal nature as human beings. To celebrate an event, an accomplishment, or a milestone together as a group is a tradition of our species.

But why? What does it do for us?

Science shows that celebrations are particularly important for our emotional and societal health. They make us feel less alone. They remind us that while we are each individuals, we are at one with something magnificently larger than ourselves.

This awareness is something we deeply need. The perception of social support provided by regular opportunities to celebrate with others impacts the health of our brain wiring and our body’s functioning. It improves a number of health outcomes including decreased mortality, improved mental health, in particular a drop in levels of depression and anxiety, as well as decreased heart rate, improved sleep, and lower blood pressure.

How do celebrations cause this? How can what is almost entirely an emotional experience result in so many positive physiological benefits?

Because it’s all in the mind. It changes the way we think. It tweaks our optimism. It bolsters our belief that we are not alone and that in times of crisis, we have a community upon whom we may rely which changes our chemical makeup in ways that literally make our bodies function better. 

What types of celebrations best accomplish this? Science has also shown there are three essential components to what constitutes a “celebration.” They are gathering with other people, sharing food and drink, and highlighting an important milestone. 

Each of these elements must be included in order for a celebration to have a beneficial effect on our lives. I find the inclusion of food and drink to be the most interesting. That we should gather together in groups to acknowledge a milestone seems more obvious. 

But the food and drink part hints at something which the science of cognitive behavioral therapy has long recognized. It is the deliberate insertion of abundance thinking in the form of demonstrated nourishment as connected with our ideas about community. In other words, feasts remind us of abundance and safety.

And when we feast together, we are reminded that our abundance is a communal experience. It further reinforces our reliance upon community, not just for our survival, but for our thriving.

The extravagance of the gathering, however, is immaterial. The size of the gathering or the quantity of food and drink are nowhere near as important as the fact we are gathering to consume them for a purpose.

What might be most surprising is that virtual gatherings are no less important or beneficial than in-person gatherings, so long as they also include food, and drink, though, of course, we prefer to be physically together. Because the awareness of our community, and the juxtaposition of abundance and honor are equally impactful whether real or virtual.

In a way, it’s the same thing as how our brains don’t generally know the difference between dreams and reality. What goes on in the mind is what matters most. In the space of a virtual celebration, the things our mind most craves knowing—that we are not alone, that we have abundance, and that we have things to honor— are achieved independent of our physical presence with one another. 

This is good news we might easily overlook when those whom we consider to be our community or our family are living far away, seemingly out of reach for such occasions. Don’t hesitate to create a virtual gathering in commemoration of something meaningful. Encourage everyone to have a good meal on hand, lovingly prepared as though it were intended to be shared, and show their faces on screen. Raise a glass together in honor. 

We need this more than we realize. Far more than we give it credit. It is as essential to us as air. Look up the data for yourself. Seek out reasons to celebrate. Be creative. And take the time to honor them. 

Especially now. Especially in these times of deep societal recovery from this global pandemic, societal upheaval, political conflict, and lingering war. 

Despite all which troubles us, there are so many reasons to be thankful. Remind yourself of them. Your heart and mind will thank you for it.