Untraditions
December 6, 2009
Who says you can’t put peacock feathers in your christmas tree? Certainly not me… Personally, I also love an ostrich feather and a deer antler as well. This has been a year of Untraditions (is there such a word? who cares, this is about breaking the rules) for me.
I DIDN”T go with to pick out the perfect family christmas tree, although I did fully participate in our annual fight in putting it up. I threw out some old decorations, without feeling a bit guilty, okay slight guilt but it was momentary. And did up a tree in only white and of course… peacock feathers. A departure from my usual red and green nature inspired extravaganza.
One tradition I took special care with was telling my four and six year old little boys the precious story of the Christmas journey, as we delicately placed the nativity figurines (hand carried back from Bogota Colombia on the occassion of their adoption) around their individual trees in their rooms. Children don’t really care about tradition though, as I later learned while overhearing them discuss the features and benefits of creating a force field aound the manger scene, and debating whether Syndrome from the Incredibles could beat up the baby Jesus. Later, while listening to the Nutcracker Suite, I couldn’t help but notice the irony in the pile of battle scarred nutcracker napkin ring holders that had been forced to salute and repeat “Hail Plankton” while repeatedly being bashed about by Spongebob Squarepants characters.
There is a lesson here for me. In years past I have unleashed my perfectionism around Chrismas like a bull in a china shop. This year, I have treated it more like a delicate bird that gets to come out of it’s cage once and a while. I have learned to cultivate the sacred by taking breaks, enjoying what I have, and not forcing my beliefs or traditions on anyone else. Even those in my family. So what if my hubby would rather flood the ice skating rink that go out for a family dinner. He is fullfilling his primary spiritual aim at the moment. And I have choices. I can try to control and make perfect an imperfect family, situation or moment. Or I can recognize the love I already have in my life, and acknowledge what has been given to me. What are you trying to break tradition with this year? Give yourself permission.
Right now my choice is whether or not to be concerned about the fact that the children have turned the nativity camel into an evil superhero. Oh, and they are calling her SHE….
