Artwork depicting a vineyard scene with purple grapes, grapevine leaves, a winding road, and a glass of purple wine, set against a starry night sky with mountains in the distance.

60     BOTTOMS UP

KEY CONCEPTS:   party time, gathering, reunion, celebration, vacation, merriment, toasting one’s health and accomplishments, feasting.

MESSAGE:  Cheers! Is the glass half-empty or half-full?  Who cares, when clearly there’s room for more!  Here’s to celebrations in your life, dear traveler.  Ritualizing merry moments leaves behind the sediment of time.  It transfers life’s elixir into beautifully-labeled bottles for your trophy shelf.  Uncorking the terroir of that vintage unleashes strong flavors and subtle notes; a sip of the heady beverage recalls life’s special moments.  Was your 30th birthday zesty, herbaceous and refreshing?  It all comes rushing back.  Did your wedding night feel bold, spicy and endlessly versatile?  Celebrate significant milestones – Bottoms Up!

Are you first to congratulate others on their rites of passage?  If so, you simultaneously reward yourself.  It’s a choice to connect with everyone’s joy at every chance.  We all love a cheerleader; when you extend genuine congratulations, you become the most delightful gal in the room.  If you’ve pulled this card today, pull over and share some giggles at one of the Mother Road’s wonderful wineries; bubble up joy and tip your glass to favored friends. 

Laughter provides a form of meditation.  It coaxes us closer to the childlike wonder of Laughing Buddha.   This Chinese monk, Budai, showed us it’s okay to overdo joy.  At least six Sanskrit terms exist to describe elated states…from a gentle smile to a full-blown laughing fit.  Take it in steps.  Dare to instigate a grin, then snicker your way into screaming hysterics: giggle to your heart’s content, alone or with friends.  It bolsters opportunity, develops compassion and boosts immunity. 

Have you been snooty about your humor?  Drop the attitude.  Why not be a ho for humor? Jump at the chance to share a chuckle and everyone’s joke could become yours…especially those at your expense.  Who cares if it’s stupid?  Lighten up.  If you’ve taken yourself too seriously, your own scowl will tell the tale.  Shift from gloom and doom to find your zoom in Lila, it’s the Sanskrit concept of Divine play.  Lila asserts that the Universe sprang forth from bliss, not from necessity, duty or lack.  Connect with your community and frolic: it’s party time!

RELATED SITES:  STABLE RIDGE VINEYARDS, STROUD, OK; NEARBY JAUNT TO SPARKS VINEYARD & WINERY, SPARKS, OK; SABLE CREEK WINERY, ROMEOVILLE, IL; BISHOPS HILL WINERY, JOLIET, IL; ST. JAMES WINERY, ST. JAMES, MO; EAGLES LANDING, ROSATI, MO; ELMER’S BOTTLE TREE RANCH, ORO GRANDE, CA.