“When you pray, move your feet.” – AN AFRICAN PROVERB‍

My birthday falls in the month of November. It is a time to celebrate what I am and who I am becoming. It is time to observe how I have danced with self-respect. It is a moment to observe how my actions have smiled with success. A time to gather all parts of myself to commune with the “Greater Conductor of life” about how I expressed my prayers. A time to rejoice in the movement of my prayers with the hands of time.

What is the meaning of celebrating our lives?

In my experience, celebrating in my life means being joyful about the achievements: it means shining light on the defining moments; it means not only seeing with my eyes but seeing with my heart the moments that shape me; it means presenting & opening my heart to the teachers of my experiences. 

It feels like a beaming light from the inside out as I realise or affirm the parts that needed attention & transformation into works of art.

“It looks like a life full of “halala” moments.”‍

As I chat with my client about what success could look or feel like for her, she says: 

“I want to feel joy, I want all my life to be full of “halala” moments.” ‍

(“halala” in Xhosa means congratulations/ hooray). ‍

I love halala moments. I scream halala anytime the needle of my prayers move, I have halala moves for lightbulb moments and all the colours of shifty moments in my life. I think I tend to anchor my conversations with myself around living from a place of halala as it helps me define the picture of success and the anticipation of meeting halala moments as I show trust in my prayers with every action I take. 

How can we live in a place of “halala” (rejoicing, celebrating, etc.)?

I think, for me, it is about being responsible for recognising my progress, being present consistently to what is growing, being open to what is teaching me, and being available to be present for other people’s success (their halala moments). 

In my experience living from a place of halala and having witnessed other people’s halalas, I have noticed the following to be present:

• Strong internal validation.
• Embracing all experiences as valuable.
• Graciously celebrating others.
• Living from the end/ outcome. 
• Acting from a place of trust.
• Embracing MORE, not only for themselves, but for others.
• A strong alignment with prayers and their actions.
• The ability to circumnavigate every bottleneck.
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As a recovering perfectionist, I find living from a place of anticipating progress curative, as this way of living focuses my attention on building what I hope to see with every action I take.

So, what am I celebrating about 2022?

I am celebrating:

• Preparing for halala moments.
• Practicing anticipatory hope.
• Meaningful relationships.
• Wellbeing.
• Courting the humps and bumps of 2022.
• What I was ready to receive.
• Self-expression & rising bravely.
• Participating wholeheartedly.
• Appreciating.
• Braving the winter parts of my story. 
• Summoning joy.

What is leading me:

• Revelations and renewals
• A refusal to be detained by imagined fears.
• Mistakes turned into opportunities.
• Receiving tough messages.

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How did you respond to what 2022 was calling forth from you?‍

Celebrating is my medicine – it charges me up and energises my attitude.‍

The end is indeed the beginning – see you on the other side in 2023!