There is something particularly appropriate about our High-low-aha ritual in the month of November.
Maybe it's that November is a time for reflection and giving thanks, in much the same way that sharing highs, lows, and ahas requires us to reflect (and, with a little luck, give thanks too).
Maybe it's that November is the month when family and friends gather in community and spend time catching up - much the way we do on the 18th day of each month.
Or, maybe it's recognition that rituals matter more now than they ever have. At a time when the pace of life seems to be moving faster and so much emphasis is placed on our differences, Thanksgiving and Highlowaha are nice reminders of two things:
First, even busy people stop one day a year to eat turkey and visit with family. They do it in the same way we stop to visit with members of our community one day each month.
Second, most people find their own special way to celebrate Thanksgiving. They might gather around a table eating something vegetarian or huddle around a t.v. watching a football game. Either way, Thanksgiving makes it possible for friends and family to interpret the holiday however they like and still know that they are participating. The same is true of Highlowaha. Share whatever you like, knowing that we are glad you decided to participate.
I will get the ball rolling, so that any novices joining us for the first time can figure out how to join in:
High: Attending a baby shower with friends that I love being around; celebrating my 12th wedding anniversary and feeling every bit as lucky to be married to Richard today as I did 12 years ago; visiting my parents in New York and seeing snow; book time with Matthew and Jack; Carmel Salted Mochas from Starbucks; feeling like I am getting in a groove with the House of Shine; and really having to scratch my head to think of any lows.
Low: My eyesight is going and my office is a mess.
Aha: Someone complimented me the other day by saying, "What you are good at doing is making other people good at what they do." I thought it was a really nice compliment, but I also realized - "Aha, I love that job description!"
Your turn. Visit us in the Comment Section and tell us about the best thing(s) that have happened in the last month, the worst thing(s) that have happened in the past month, and something that you have learned.
Shining off until...