There are times life happens to us. And there are times we make meaning out of life around us. Holidays bring opportunity to revisit the most important and lasting aspects of life and to infuse meaning into it. A way we make it more meaningful is by incorporating traditions and rituals.
Traditions are important because they create a sense of belonging. Family unites around their traditions. We feel a sense of ease because we know what to expect, the rules are already set and known. We know what is expected of ourselves and others and we belong as part of that tradition. We don’t have to use our mental energy on the routine but instead we can put our mental energy on the emotions of savoring the experience. Traditions free our minds to think of other things.
Traditions also anchor us in themes bigger than self—history, family, faith. Our traditions remind us of our place in the world and our highest values. They compel us to be thankful, generous, optimistic, and loving. We need these reminders and participation in traditions brings us back to these higher truths.
This holiday season I encourage you to lean into your traditions —whether it be watching Sound of Music or Elf, eating chocolate covered cherries or fasting, going to church, or going to a movie. I encourage you to unapologetically take time to verbally communicate what the holiday and your loved ones mean to you. You can create a new tradition of being more vulnerable to your loved ones and share what they mean to you. Don’t settle for simply doing meaningful activities but also communicate why you are doing them. Settle into those traditions for yourself. Settle into your deepest truths of what you want your life and your world to be about.
May you have the best of the holiday season!
