When the “house blessing hangs askew”, the “church is no longer in the village” or when the corners of the mouth are hanging down: What’s the first thing people don’t do? Very often celebrating! And we don’t mean destructive partying with lots of alcohol and drugs, which is sometimes used as an escape from challenging situations. In difficult times, it is understandable that people don’t want to celebrate or refrain from celebrating out of respect for the situation of other people who are suffering. But there are many ways to celebrate. It doesn’t always have to be wild and boisterous. There are also very solemn forms. For example, communal rituals.
In fact, celebrating unites as long as everyone involved decides to do so of their own free will and is holistically present. Because constructive celebration always involves an intention. An important intention is to give ourselves wholeheartedly to the community and ultimately to the feeling of unity, to focus on the joy of life and gratitude, while mentally letting go of divisive emotions and stories. In Peru, people celebrate regularly and almost daily. You can find an opportunity to celebrate at any moment – which means surrendering to unity and feeling it.
