Triumph. It’s not a word we hear or use much today. It is relegated to epic times when courage, strength and spirit won over evil and darkness. And it is used to describe people who overcome huge physical and mental odds to produce great works of art and science. But rarely do I think of it in terms of living life every day. I’d be hard-pressed to find an instance that I’d point to as hands-in-the-air, head-thrown-back-in-astonishment-triumphant moment. But maybe that’s just it. Maybe it’s not about just one moment.

The more complex life gets, the more I think that there are triumphs every day to be celebrated as such. And the largest obstacle we triumph over every day is our own humanity. These are the times we overcome pressure with grace, forgiveness and patience. When we solve problems in with positive energy. When we give of our time and creativity freely to one another. We we bring people together. When we create a something that educates, entertains and elevates.

I know what you are saying. We recognize these achievements, but how can we celebrate them as “acts” of triumph when they flow from one moment to the next without much distinction. There isn’t a definite action to recognize with a photo, a statue or an award.

Perhaps the best way to be triumphant is not to be looking for an outside verification of it. Every moment we choose the high road, we triumph. Every time we see what is positive in what we or others do and act on it, we triumph. Every time we get to the end of the day and think, that was a good day and hope that tomorrow is even better, we have triumphed.

Triumph – a word not to be taken lightly … or left dusty on the shelf with yesterday’s achievements.