Traditions & Ceremonies; How Do They Help Us?

In today's world especially, traditions and ceremonies can give us a sense of security, hope, and knowledge that not all that is sacred and important to us has to disappear. It cements us to our heritage, and beliefs in a way that is unmatched by anything else.

Even when the world has seemingly gone crazy, we can always count on those special traditions and ceremonies we perform on special days, or religious holidays. It helps to stop the craziness for just a little while. It gives us faith that all has not been lost. It reaches back into the past at a time when things may have been better. It allows us to still have something left of what is important, and the ability to pass it on to the next generation. Yes, no matter what happens some things do go on forever.

Sometimes traditions and ceremonies can give us peace and help us grieve. Somehow these special things we do when we lose a loved one, or a tragedy has occurred gives us a sense of closure, and an ability to go on living. Visiting a grave site, burning a candle, saying a prayer for a loved one lost, can give us such comfort in a time that is so very painful No one ever wants to lose a loved one. However, these seemingly simple things we do, help us to cope, and accept that which in our heart of hearts is not acceptable.

Some ceremonies and traditions can mean a time of passage from one point in life to another. Graduation, Bar Mitzvah, or even the Presidential Inauguration. These types of ceremonies and traditions instill in us a sense of pride and accomplishment for those being honored, and for those who are proud of the one's being honored. How dull life would be without these really special times in life. It gives us something to strive for.

Last but not least, how about those special little family traditions that are unique to each and every family. Those things that make that family who they are, and how they love. It can be something as simple as having pizza and watching a movie every Friday night, since everyone can remember, or the family who goes to church every Sunday, regardless, of rain, sleet or snow. There are probably a million different family traditions that we couldn't even cover in a lifetime. The point is, just about every family has them. Whatever family traditions they choose to keep, it solidifies the family, and love that keeps those family members going through the tough times. NO matter how bad things are, having that pizza on Friday night, or going to church together, can help to change a bad situation into something that the family can handle together, and make it through.

Yes, there has been ceremonies and traditions literally since the beginning of time. Okay, well at least since the beginning of man. Without them most people would feel lost. Without them, life would seem a little bit less than. So, the next time your celebrating Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, or even the 4th of July, remember just how much it means to you, and what life would be like without it!