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I’m Not Pregnant, Starting a New Job, or Getting Married, but I’m Still Doing Things Worth Celebrating
Do the intangible achievements still merit a celebration?
This is beautiful. Congratulations! I exclaimed as I walked into my friend’s newly purchased home. Congratulations Mom and Dad, and welcome to the world little one! I rejoiced at seeing the birth announcement of a couple I know. That’s awesome! Congrats! I said to my friend when she mentioned her promotion. These weren’t empty words. I was genuinely excited for each. They were crossing a threshold into a new chapter of life and that was worth celebrating and I was overjoyed for them.
Yet, I couldn’t deny that there was something lurking beneath my joyous expression. Was it jealousy? I didn’t think so. I didn’t rival any of them and I was genuinely happy for them. After probing more, I realized it was insecurity. As I’d hear of their joyous news, I’d also hear a small voice saying to me, Look at all of them. They’re making moves and you’re simply sitting on the sidelines cheering them on. When are you going to do something worth celebrating? Truth was I was feeling stagnant in my life and each of my friend’s momentous occasions were serving as uncomfortable reminders to me that I wasn’t good enough.
