The holidays are a time of tradition for many of us, but what is tradition, really? Tradition might be looked at as an activity in which we participate on some expected frequency, an activity that brings us joy, makes us feel good. It’s often something we share with others, but there also may be traditions we enjoy alone.
As we evolve and transform as human beings, we may no longer derive the same joy from traditions we treasured at earlier times in our lives, or circumstances may shift and render an old tradition impractical.
The desire to let go of old traditions can conjure up guilt and cause us to continue just for the sake of avoiding the sense of letting down someone near and dear. The worst thing we can do – for ourselves and for those with whom we share tradition – is to suck up the guilt and go along with it anyway. Resentment creeps in to occupy the space once filled with joy and laughter, turning the tradition into a less than worthwhile experience for everyone involved.
If we don’t enjoy a tradition or can no longer swing it for practical reasons, we owe it to ourselves and to the other person(s) to be authentic and convey our true feelings. We can let go with kindness and compassion and allow new traditions to spring forth.
Leave the door open to enjoy a tradition for as long as it remains joyful and worthwhile. If circumstances evolve to render it less, trust that new pathways to joy continually present themselves when we’re open to receive them.
We have limitless license to create new traditions, traditions that may endure for years or go as quickly as the idea set upon us. The act of doing is not the important component; the essential ingredients are joy and meaningfulness.
When I moved to Texas more than a decade ago, my sister, Jane, and I began a tradition of having an annual sisters’ getaway. Las Vegas became our annual meeting place where we’d get away for a few days to play and enjoy each other’s company.
Our tradition served us well for seven years, but as our respective lives evolved, the annual Vegas trip no longer worked so well for practical reasons. Instead, in the years since, we’ve shared amazing experiences traveling to China and Alaska. While Vegas no longer was the backdrop, spending time with Jane in other places has been just as joyful and meaningful, perhaps even more from the added presence of our family.
A growing Austin tradition is for people to get into the holiday spirit starting in early November by decorating trees on the greenbelt (that’s a shot above of the holiday handiwork of my fellow Austinites).
Last year, my friend, Lynn, and I decided it would be fun to jump on this holiday bandwagon. On a balmy Thanksgiving morning, we found the perfect tree and trimmed it with festive glory.
The mountain laurel that my friend, Lynn, and I decked for the holidays.
We had so much fun that we decided to partake again this year. Markedly colder weather deterred us on Thanksgiving Day, so we waited a few days until the weather warmed up. By that time, most of the manageably sized trees had already been adorned, but alas, we found the perfect mountain laurel screaming to be decked out.
It amped up our holiday spirits to hang tinsel and ornaments as passing drivers honked their horns and gave us thumbs up in holiday cheer. Perhaps a tradition will come from this. Regardless, we’ll find a joyful, meaningful way to ring in the holidays in seasons to come.
Press pause on the holiday madness for a few minutes and take inventory of your traditions. Which ones make you smile from ear to ear in eager anticipation? Are there any the thought of which make your body tense up, pleading, “oh no, please don’t make me do that again?”
You know which ones to continue and whether there are any waiting to be honorably retired.
Wishing you a magical holiday season filled with peace, love and joy.
