Creating & Honoring Traditions and Rituals

This time of year is filled with traditions and ritual. Even if we are not practicing Christians or observing the Christmas holiday in a Christian church we will still find that there are layers of secular tradition that have grown up with us around this time of year. Now is a good time to take a look at all those traditions and rituals to see which ones serve us best and contribute to our personal well-being and growth.

The tradition of gift giving is one to look at closely. Are we experiencing joy through this giving or do we do it because we feel it is expected? We decided that other than a few homemade or "experience" gifts that our giving would be limited to just the children in our family. This is the kind of giving that gives my husband and I joy. We have more fun shopping for a 3 year old than we ever would for ourselves or for a family member that can buy themselves anything they want.

Traveling to see family is another tradition to examine. Being together is a wonderful thing, but is it causing a hardship for someone to travel across the country just because they "always have"? Maybe another time of year would be less stressful for a family gathering.  Presents can always be exchanged in July!

Another thing to look at is how we be carrying old, worn-out roles into our family gatherings. As adults I think its important to re-imagine those roles and see our family members whole, perfect and complete humans and treat them as we want to be treated, not falling into old familiar roles of siblings, parents or children.

Leadership is about constantly looking for a better way while still holding on to the tradition and continuity that create some stability and comfort. I invite you to keep what serves you and release what doesn't during these holy days.