My friend had asked me to teach her how to crochet, being that she's quite old--well, let's just say that I was a little skeptical. I wasn't so sure that I could teach that old dog any new tricks--she is after all 3 years older than I am. And if she ever reads this she's going to chase me down and pummel me. But hey, it's worth the risk just to tease her a bit.
I told her what supplies to purchase and our lesson commenced. It was humorous, to say the least. My friend loves to talk--probably more than any other activity and she wasn't paying close attention to the task at hand. I wasn't sure that after our long lesson she'd be able to take her new found skill home with her. I asked her--is there anyone else you know that crochets and might be able to help you if you get stuck? It was an innocent enough question, it was obvious to me--she was going to need help.
It turns out that her granddaughter knows how to crochet. But, according to my friend--the grandmother should teach the granddaughter--not the other way around. She didn't want to ask her for help. I was a little stunned by this remark. So I said--you sure are traditional, aren't you? To which she (after a short pause) said yes, yes I guess I am.
And that's the conversation that has lead me to ponder traditions. The rest of this blog has nothing to do with my friend and everything to do with my thoughts on traditions and the way I perceive them. You see, I love traditions, especially those centered around family and friends. However, I don't ever want to get stuck in the same old rituals. As in--this is the only way to do things.
I want to be flexible, free, and open to new experiences and others traditions. For example--even if I've always had the holidays at my house, I want to be free to have them elsewhere and thoroughly enjoy them. I don't want my old traditions to control or limit my joy. I do not want to be sitting there thinking--this is wrong! We shouldn't be here, doing it this way, eating those foods, or that kind of pie! I want to enjoy what happens next--not worry about what I think the tradition should be. What if being flexible means that a new tradition starts? What if it means that someone else is the star? What if it teaches us to share? Is that such a bad thing?
For me, traditions are awesome. I love them. I love reading about or participating in traditions in foreign countries. I don't want to ever have a limited world view. I don't want to have a me mentality. I want to become a more compassionate person who can relate to others through hope and not through bias and fear. Fear of the unknown paralyzes us, and I don't want that to happen to me. I believe that one way I can accomplish living a fearless life is by being open to new traditions. It will stretch me into becoming more Christ-like and that's important to me. Things do not always have to be my way or the highway.
From now on I am starting a new tradition. I am going to try to be teachable--by anyone, any age and any time. I am going to be willing to try new things--new foods, new places, and new friends. I am going to start the tradition of starting new traditions. Every year--something new.
For me, it's crucial that I don't get stuck and lose focus on what's really important. Family, friends, neighbors, home, and those wonderful warm fuzzies--it comes in many different forms when we are least expecting it. So, for me--I'm up for the change--bring it on. That's my new tradition.
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