Traditions

We all have them. Sometimes we don’t even know how they started or why we do them. I’ve been thinking a lot about them recently as we just finished the Holiday season. Traditions that is. Officially defined as “Transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation.” Maybe during the strange Holiday season that was 2020 you gave Traditions some thought too.

Maybe it’s something you do at Christmas or New Years. Perhaps it’s something you do at Birthdays or Weddings. I always enjoy learning about other people’s customs and traditions, there’s so much we can learn from each other. My mom and I had birthdays just a few days apart and made our own traditions to celebrate.

For just a moment though let’s look at Mr. Webster’s definition a second time. Doesn’t say anything about a special day or season. That’s what I’ve been thinking about, especially as my wife makes me put up all the Christmas dishes that only get used once a year!

You see maybe there are Traditions that should be happening every day. Again the definition says “transmitted from generation to generation.” What am I “transmitting” with my son, nieces, nephews, friends and co-workers?

Things like honesty, kindness, work ethic, my Faith, even things like my interest in gardening and canning or hunting and fishing. Someone shared with me to learn, even though as a young teenager helping my Grandmother can green beans sure seemed like a hot and tiring “tradition.” But am I sharing too? Am I passing on those qualities and knowledge? Are you?

I think in our instant, always on and technology driven society we’ve moved from sharing person to person to letting Youtube and the Internet do it. Don’t get me wrong, I think I’ve earned a Master’s Degree from YouTube and you are able to read my thoughts in this Blog forum. But that person to person sharing – Transmission if you would – I fear it’s becoming a lost art.

So as you reflect on the very different times we’ve all managed to adapt to in this strange period, make efforts to share your traditions – you know those teachable moments about good behavior, loving one another and perhaps even some of your skills or knowledge you’ve gained over the years. Traditions, pass them on.