Tradition in Motion

  Is it right for me to ask to roll the calendar back a few months? Who am I to ask for extra   time to prepare for the Holidays…for Christmas? And what exactly does preparing really mean? So much has changed in my life and life as I’ve known it has rearranged itself all around me. Those things which have been tradition, my tradition, are different now. I am making adjustments…mainly trying to bend gently and blend in where I am. As much as I usually have to say…right now I am not quite sure what to say or how to say it.

Allow me to try to explain… Many people view the changing times, the economic downturn, unemployment and deep recession from the view of what is presented by the media. You (we) may read an article or watch a report on television and possibly experience a sympathetic moment for someone else, while at the same time walking into the kitchen and casually making a cup of tea. Or perhaps you actually know someone close to you that has been severely impacted by all this. If so, what should we (you) do? Offer a meal, a soft place to land, or space and room to hibernate, hurt and heal?

What I have come to realize is there are a number of people in my personal space who are deeply impacted by all this change. Many choose not to share what’s really going on in their lives because they (we) (I) are not so sure how people will respond. So they (we) (I) move along in a façade of tradition…trying to keep up appearances. And when it becomes too exhausting they (we) (I) quietly step out of the daily procession until we’re able to store up enough energy for another round of smiles and laughter.

Traditionally at this time of year I spend my time baking special treats and making candy to share with friends and family. I am still able to do that within reason. Tradition for me has been revised – changed course.

As I embrace all the change I make an internal and external assessment of “tradition” and I am thankful for every blessing, each new revelation. What is immediately apparent is that I have the memories of previous tradition and the making of new ones. It is the blending of the old and the new that is creating something exciting and wonderfully different.

So in the midst of acknowledging what is no longer the same, I welcome “tradition in motion”. I am not suggesting that you abandon all that you have known and loved but let us move with grateful hearts toward celebrating the Holidays with old family and new family… old friends and new friends…old traditions and new traditions
I wish you all warm, wonderful moments and memories throughout this Holiday Season as I continue “In Waiting”, and creating new “traditions in motion.”

Always, “Expecting the Extraordinary”