Where I live, which is not a particularly traditional place, we are driving ourselves into a season of traditions. We have forgotten the time we took to relax over the summer. We have plunged into the traditions of back to school and football season. Many stores are already trying to sell us our own holiday traditions. We look ahead to the most tradition-laden months of the year, jammed with extra activities.
Why are we so focused on our traditions? We feel anxiety or guilt when we do not follow traditions, even when it is our conscious decision. We do things for no reason other than we “have always done it this way.” We are not eager to continue many traditions, but it takes so much effort and struggle to change.
Many of us think of traditions as ways to restore our spiritual life. When we spend time in certain ways or taste specific foods we “get back into the holiday spirit.” Our senses and memories are keys to spiritual life we have experienced in the past.
For me, it is spiritual life that fills and inspires traditions, not the other way around. Spiritual life floods our experience of places or actions, sounds or flavors, drawing us in.
This is an excellent year to recognize the power of spiritual life as we relate to traditions. Rather than allowing someone else to project traditions onto us, we can appreciate them intentionally. Our reflection shows us the deeper spiritual life that draws us to our traditions.
We can bring our actions into harmony with the spiritual life that flows in us. We can create new traditions which strengthen spiritual life in us.
What traditions would you like to begin this holiday season?
Why do you have the traditions you have?
[Image by H.L.I.T.]
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