Celebrating
Celebrate! Let's start with a song. Think of the words and tune of that celebration classic, "Happy Birthday to You." What word gets special attention in each line of this song? It's the word at the end of the line: Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday dear [birthday person]. Happy Birthday to you. The words in the song convey a cheery good wish. But it's the pauses that really shine a light on the birthday boy or girl. Try singing the Happy Birthday song with no pauses, and see if the birthday person gets quite as much attention! Pausing at the right time - when singing a song, reading words in a book, teaching a child a new skill or throwing a ball for your dog - adds a necessary rhythm that enhances whatever you're doing. Similarly, pausing to celebrate the achievement of a goal can heighten its balue. Congratulations! In our fast-paced world, pausing to celebrate can seem like a luxury. But it's actually a strategic last act in ...