I don’t just say I am celebrating! I actually do it! First, let me explain why I am celebrating if you aren’t sure. Read at the Path that starts here: I am Celebrating!

I am celebrating because I am experiencing true freedom. I have had true freedom for a little while now. This is what true freedom looks like: Now I can see! I saw this past Sunday! I can see like the eagle that God offered the Israelites – Exodus 19:4. This week, however, I have really been able to take some time to enjoy it. I suppose I am telling the story in the “You got the cart before the horse method.” However, it’s just so exciting, how can ya not?

So, here is what I am doing to celebrate:

• I have been smiling as I talk to people. When someone understands what I am talking about, I have noticed that I have been smiling as I am talking. I am enjoying conversations that are what most people would think are just part of your job.
• Typically, when I talk to men that I help with sex addiction, the conversations are enjoyable and fruitful. This week, though, they have been particularly enjoyable, and I noticed my smile while I am talking and when they respond.
• All this smiling – I am apparently happy!
• I laugh all the time, so that is normal. However, for various reasons, I have been home by myself a fair amount this week, and I have found myself laughing out loud by myself at a whole host of things as the world goes around. Here are a few examples:
  1. Recently, I made a joke to my mom about how she used to fuss over walking through the house with a wet bathing suit. The other day I walked in my house and my suit dripped on the kitchen floor, and I thought it was funny that I could just keep walking because it’s my house and I could do whatever I wanted. I left the drop on the floor, laughed it off, and then proceeded to tell my mom about it in joke fashion during our next conversation. Her rebuttal was that someone could slip and fall. (I have heard that one before!) Then the other day after that all took place, I was getting out of the shower (dripping wet), and I walked across the floor and made a total wet mess. I dried off and then walked back across towards the sink and I slipped and almost fell on my butt! I stood up and looked in the mirror and said, “Ok mom!” and totally laughed out loud!
  2. I was super thrilled and laughing with joy today. I have some stupid great news to share, and I want to tell everyone because it’s super kewl. Two years ago, I went on a backpacking trip I have been on 3 out of the last 4 years. From that trip two years ago, I ended up with a shoulder injury. Upon the return from that trip, my lower left back shoulder muscle exploded, and the pain whipped up my back into my neck and down my left arm. I couldn’t move my neck for over two weeks. I was in and out of physical therapy three different times for months at a time over the course of 2 years. The PT also included dry needling many times as well. While it did improve my pain and reduce it to discomfort, I still missed last year’s backpacking trip due to plantar fasciitis. Today, I moved my arm in no particular motion and snap! The shoulder muscle that had been wrapped up so tight let loose and the muscles all over my upper back and neck are letting loose. As I continue to move and exercise, the muscles are popping! I was so excited that I even called my PT to tell him. I told my colleague about this great news and he proceeded to tell me that now that I was working with him and my new company, the stress level has dropped, and that was the reason for the muscle relaxing. Of course, it was, we joked! He then proceeded to tell me that I no longer had Bio-Nomic disease. Sounds really bad, right? That was my old employer! LOL
  3. #3 will be this weeks FUN FRIDAYS! post.
• Some other fun things I am doing to celebrate:
  1. I skipped across the yard today.
  2. I have been singing to country music a lot.
  3. I have been learning to play the bass guitar. I am 1 month in and I am in the praise band at church. We play this Sunday. It will be my first performance since I fouled up my part on the organ during the Sunday School Program when I was in the 6th grade. I am super thrilled!

I have been really enjoying my week. I truly just can’t stop laughing out loud. It’s so fun and so enjoyable. However, I have been just taking my time and taking in the peace of God. There is much to tell and believe me, I would love to give it all to you in one fell swoop. However, I need to relax the pace. Plus, I am celebrating! Why would I want to rush that?