traditions

No other time of year really spotlights the phrase that "humans are creatures of habit". I mean, you take the same boxes out that hold the exact ornaments that you decorated with the year prior. A strange tree is bought and brought to your home to celebrate the holidays with you and your family. The consistent handful of songs are resung, remixed, and replayed each December ... And, it's not just one family, country, or race, it's a myriad of people everywhere, repeating actions over and over and over again!

I first started thinking about the 'why' of traditions the other day when I was driving with Matt and Colten, and none of us could figure out why we put trees in our houses! [see the link below!] I never really thought that I was one that "clung" to traditions, but something as simple as a Christmas tree ... hmmmm .... !!!

As much as I am one for adventure, searching for new ways to conquer the day with unique and daring elements .... familiarity and routine knit together a 'comfy' sweater I cozy up in as I face each new stimulation. When I was a kid, it didn't matter how much I craved to be living in someone else's shoes, in another era [I continually asked God why I wasn't born 200 years earlier as settler/explorer, 400 years earlier as a forest maiden, 1300 years earlier as ... etc!], or AT LEAST with a super power, my Mom & Dad's arms were what comforted me when I cried through such issues. Their warm hugs meant comfort, established and unreserved love. I think that feeling is we expect when we perform traditions and repeat 'what we did last year'. We forget the integral ingredients of relationship, love, peace are that "toastiness" which is trying to be recreated.

'why' a tree?!

pic pix: a tradition that our family holds ... my Dad lifting one of us kids up to put the angel on THE tree!! This year ... MY turn :) December '09