jbrotherlove

December 18, 2011: This is the time of year when families are upholding decades old traditions and working to create new ones. It doesn’t matter what you celebrate (or don’t) … please share with us your December traditions: how they got started, why you continue them, and why they are special to you. #resound11

This is super easy albeit, sobering. I have no holiday traditions. None. I don’t celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or Winter Solstice (well, maybe a little Solstice).

I’m not sure how I got this way. Probably because most holiday traditions are linked to religion. And I am not a religious man. I’m not Christian, Jewish or Muslim. I’m Buddhist but I’m not obsessive about that either. Buddhism is more of a philosophical practice for me. Besides, there aren’t any real Buddhist Christmas traditions.

Overwhelmingly, the commercial/consumer aspects of Christmas really bother me. The advertising (which starts in October), plethora of bad music, “black Friday” sales… It’s all too much energy on the wrong things. It puts me off and I usually retreat so I don’t bum out my friends who celebrate.

If I have a tradition at all, it’s to reflect on the past year and beat myself up over things I didn’t accomplish. Oh, and obsessing over the
mistakes I’ve made; I do that too. Not really a tradition worth keeping. I’m hoping to create some one day.

Sidebar: I’m fascinated by the idea that Jesus studied (or was at least influenced by) Buddhism during the “dark years”.

December 17, 2011: What’s the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it? #resound11

I’ve come to appreciate my resilience. I’ve written before that while I’m a lucky/blessed guy that my life hasn’t been easy (in some respect, no one’s life is). The reason I’ve gotten as far as I have is because I have the ability to stay in the game; to recover from setbacks, depression, adversity, heartbreak, etc. I know how to weather a storm; like a palm tree.

Honestly, I don’t know how I do it. I question myself and my decisions often. Sometimes I have to “hit bottom” before bouncing back. But I do bounce back. Eventually. Every time.

December 16, 2011: Sometimes the most ordinary, mundane things can turn into extraordinary moments. What was one of your most extraordinary ordinary moments this year? #resound11

I’m drawing a blank and it’s holding up the rest of my #resound11 posts. To be continued…