We recently connected with CELIA MILTON and have shared our conversation below.
Hi CELIA, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
Clean living and good habits?
Oh wait, that’s not me!
I think optimism can be a pretty simple practice. What’s helpful? Acknowledge the real possibility that something interesting is going to happen every day. Great, surprising things happen all the time, and they’re stand alone, joy producing events. But truly crappy, terrifying or just plain annoying things happen too, and once we do the “cleanup” in aisle six, we can usually take away something useful. And that’s a gift too, though sometimes at first it looks like that ugly sweater we really didn’t want; the sweet kiwi under the scratchy skin.
I’m also very lucky to be in a profession that thrives in hope; sometimes blind foolish optimism; I write and perform weddings. I get to be submerged in that collective enthusiasm and optimism that comes with a couple heading into a new phase of their relationship!
After all, what is more optimistic than that decision to get married; to promise to live your life in unison with another person no matter what twists and turns unfurl on the road in front of you?
I have the singular opportunity to spend most of my work life writing stories about couples who are full of hope. Sometimes it’s ‘educated hope”. They’ve been through challenges; some of them completely unimaginable: emotionally devastating, professionally turbulent, and financially disastrous. Through it all (well, if they’re standing in front of me) their trust in the future remains solid as a guiding force in their partnership and their lives.
And sometimes I borrow theirs when my own fails. I’m inspired by the stories of their successes, their trials, and the humor they bring to their lives.
A completely different way of finding the break in the clouds is to get a grip on the very reality that most things, either good or bad, are not permanent!
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
The right to marry the person you love is a basic human right, and a foundational pillar of society. I started my practice with the passionate belief that every couple, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, or religious affiliation (or lack thereof) should be able to celebrate their union in a joyous, funny, inspiring way. Without judgement or side-eye!
And now that I’ve bored every reader, the short story!
There are four of us working together in this group, all different but all intent on building unique, lighthearted ceremonies that express our couples’ personalities and give them the opportunity to celebrate exactly the way they want! Ideally, it’s captivating, lighthearted and just plain fun for everyone!
We’ve launched a podcast, ‘New jersey wedding podcast” (available everywhere!), which is usually two full time, processional wedding officiants carrying on about their recent weddings and guest vendors talking about theirs. It’s “fly on the wall” stuff, and usually we don’t swear, but no promises there. (Did you know that studies show that people who swear are more creative? I believe it, but never in a ceremony,lol!)
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three qualities? Hmmmm….personality, tenacity, lots of Sharpies. Don’t be afraid to write “it” (whatever “it” is…) in indelible black ink; say what you think, do what you say. No erasers allowed.
Advice? Forge ahead. Don’t be afraid to be your authentic self, which is easy to say, but a little less easy to actually do. Don’t be afraid of …anything, really. Fear is a paralysis. Failure is just fine; you learn from it. If you try to be like everyone else, you’ll be….like everyone else. Not a route to success, whatever that means to you.
Don’t mistake being liked with being respected (or visa versa) and don’t give too much credence to either if your own vision (how I hate that word) is being compromised. That being said, play nicely with others, cooperate and network in a genuine way, with everyone’s benefit at the forefront.
That should do it!
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
Every book Seth Godin has ever written, for solid and often unexpected business advice
Every book by David Rakoff, a brutally hilarious, dizzyingly eloquent writer who makes me want to write better.
Contact Info:
- Website: celiamilton.com
- Instagram: njvowsnow
- Facebook: celiamilton
