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Cause for Celebration

2018-11-20 · letter vlog · John · 3:27 · watch on YouTube

Topic: Everyday life · mode: Personal essay

Prompted by Hank's video on joy, John argues that joy needs room made for it, which is why humans invented celebration rituals; there are societal and personal causes to celebrate, and he proposes small gatherings with champagne or a treat to share what each person is celebrating.

What is said

The parts of the video and what is said in each (★ — how much it matters to the video).

00:00:00 — Reply to Hank on joy; joy needs room, hence humanity's celebration rituals

  • ★★ Hank's Friday video reminded John that they don't talk enough about joy or the many very real reasons to feel joyous. — 00:00:00
  • ★ John says he didn't get a haircut because he's too busy, and would rather not talk about it. (playful) — 00:00:00
  • ★★★ John thinks it is hard to feel joy without making room for it, which might be why humans created so many celebration rituals, from coming-of-age to rain ceremonies. (hedged) — 00:00:00

00:00:29 — Causes for celebration, societal (income, poverty) and personal (love, accomplishments, black-eyed peas, kindergarten)

  • ★★ Fewer people now receive First Communion or dance when it rains, which can make it feel there is no cause for celebration; John doesn't think that's true. — 00:00:29
  • ★★ At a societal level, John says, US median household income is higher than ever and the poverty rate is declining, though not as fast as it should given economic growth. — 00:00:29 · United States
  • ★★ Personal causes for celebration include love among family and friends, babies, and human accomplishments big and small. — 00:00:29
  • ★ John is pleased that this year's (2018) black-eyed pea crop almost filled a container, and he learned to dry oregano, which 'only looks illegal in 27 states'. (playful) — 00:00:58
  • ★★ John names big causes for celebration, like his daughter going to kindergarten. — 00:00:58 · Alice Green
  • ★★ John thinks anyone who looks hard at the last several months of their life will find causes for celebration. (hedged) — 00:00:58

00:01:27 — Celebrating is what brings joy: Turtles' 52 weeks on the bestseller list and the champagne toast with Sarah; the proposal begins

  • ★★★ In John's experience, accomplishments and developments one is grateful for bring little joy unless one pauses to celebrate them. (hedged) — 00:01:27
  • ★★ When John takes time to celebrate, unimpressive things like his hard-won black-eyed peas bring real joy; without it, he feels almost nothing about seemingly big deals. (hedged) — 00:01:27
  • ★★★ When Turtles All the Way Down hit 52 consecutive weeks on the NYT bestseller list, John felt happy briefly, then anxious again; weeks later a quiet champagne toast with Sarah brought overwhelming joy and gratitude. — 00:01:56 · Turtles All the Way Down, The New York Times, Sarah Urist Green
  • ★★★ John proposes that every now and then people get a bottle of champagne (not the good stuff), or fancy tea, chocolate or cheese if they don't drink, and gather friends or family to celebrate. — 00:01:56

00:02:26 — How to hold a small celebration; toast with a Cherry Coke Zero and sign-off

  • ★★ At the gathering, John suggests, you tell the story of your good news, like a Fortnite win, a student loan payment or a promotion, celebrate together, then invite others to share theirs. — 00:02:26
  • ★★ John has been doing this lately, and it has brought him so much joy. — 00:02:26
  • ★★ After celebrating, John says, they go back to complaining about everything, since it's a dumpster fire, but he still believes there is cause for celebration. (playful) — 00:02:55
  • ★★ John toasts to building rituals and traditions that help people come together and celebrate. — 00:02:55 · Hank Green
  • ★ Lacking champagne, John toasts with a Cherry Coke Zero, stressing it is not sponsored, and says it's pretty good. (playful) — 00:02:55

Threads in this video

Where the stories that moved here went next

Mentioned

Central: Happiness

Also: People: Alice Green · Sarah Urist Green

Works: Fortnite · Turtles All the Way Down

Organizations: The New York Times

Concepts: champagne · economic growth · rite of passage · Student loan

Places: United States

Products: Cherry Coke Zero

Also centred on Happiness: One Scientifically Proven Thing Actually Makes People Happier · Stress and Joy · Is Happiness the Goal?

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