What good things — no matter how small — have happened in your life recently?
Did you turn in a school project you’ve been working on for weeks? Try out a different hairstyle and get compliments? Discover a new favorite snack? Score your first touchdown?
Do you take the time to acknowledge these little milestones and accomplishments enough in your life?
In “Little Victories,” a July edition of The Morning newsletter, Melissa Kirsch argues we should all be celebrating our tiny achievements more often:
This week, I went to a party thrown by a New York City deli to celebrate a specific varietal of herring. I was keen to attend because the concept of a herring party seemed delightful — an occasion for revelry that I’d never considered. I was intrigued to learn that in the Netherlands, this particular herring is traditionally fished for only a few months, when the herring’s body fat reaches at least 16 percent, for maximum flavor. The Dutch even have an annual festival, Flag Day, to honor the opening of herring season.
I had never celebrated herring before, but, then again, I haven’t celebrated most things. We tend to confine our parties to milestones (birthdays, holidays, housewarmings, weddings) and cultural events (the Oscars, the Super Bowl). Why must it be this way? Sure, if every day is a special occasion, then no day is, but it seems unnecessary to let the calendar totally dictate when we raise a glass or kick up our heels. Also, it’s sort of boring to glorify the same things year after year, when there’s so much else out there that’s worthy.
Once you begin considering all the micro-occasions deserving of a rager or at least an intimate soiree, you realize you’ve been letting so many opportunities for merrymaking just sail right by. A New Haircut Party sounds fun (you tried a new style, you look great) as does a My Back Pain Finally Went Away Party (has there ever been a more profound reason to exult?). New tattoo, old tattoo removal; the puppy spent a full night in the crate; no cavities — let’s rejoice!
Students, read the entire article and then tell us:
-
What is your reaction to the article? Do you agree with Ms. Hirsch that it’s important to acknowledge even the smallest of good things in our lives? Why, or why not?
-
What is one recent little victory that you’d like to celebrate? Why do you want to honor this moment or achievement?
-
How would you want to mark this occasion? Would you throw a party? Have a solo dance session in your living room? Go out for ice cream? Describe your ideal celebration.
-
Now that you’ve taken stock of at least one of your micro-joys, how do you feel? Is this something you do enough? Would you like to do it more often? How do you think it would affect your life if you did?
Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public and may appear in print.
Find more Student Opinion questions here. Teachers, check out this guide to learn how you can incorporate these prompts into your classroom.
Natalie Proulx is an editor at The Learning Network, a Times free teaching resource.
The post What Little Victory Would You Like to Celebrate? appeared first on New York Times.
