Remember the opening lines of Fiddler on the Roof? Tevya singing, “TRADITION! TRADITION!”
Traditions serve such a valuable service to our cultures and our families. They provide something to depend on when other things in life may be shaky. The repetition of them somehow reassures us that there are some things that will never change, when so much seems to be changing at an alarming rate of speed.
This past year while creating my online course, Millionaire Marriage Club, (https://nancylandrum.com/the-club) I’ve had to dive into the scary waters of technology. I’ve learned procedures and programs that I never in a million years expected to need to know—or be able to conquer!
When I’m overwhelmed, I fall back on simple traditions, like watering the potted plants, picking a bouquet of roses, trimming an overgrown bush, feeding the chickens. Although simple and homey, these, too, are valuable traditions that ground and settle me.
I’ve found, however, that it’s important for me to evaluate traditions to make sure they are serving my desire for a more peaceful life, especially around the holidays. Will attending a local musical extravaganza enhance my holiday experience, or exhaust me? Is making seven or eight batches of Gingies something that gives me joy? Or causes me extra stress? Is decorating the house with lights something that gives me pleasure? Or am I doing it because it’s expected?
Some of these questions come up for me due to my age. I am more choosey about my activities and output of energy these days. But I was much younger when I first made the decision—a courageous decision for me—to only do what gave me joy and avoid doing anything that created resentment or exhaustion.
That decision forever altered my experience of the holidays. I now just enjoy them…participate in whatever I choose, and choose to not participate when it won’t harvest more joy.
Is it time to evaluate some of your traditions? To keep the ones that are truly important to you or your family but discard the ones that only add more stress to your holiday?
This week’s free download may help you look at the traditions that give you energy and joy vs those that may need to be downsized or eliminated. If you are feeling courageous, take a peek!
Free Download: Blessed or Stressed?
