Tradition does not have to be a heavy burden to carry.Tradition does not have to be a restrictive set of rules.Tradition can be something beautiful that supports us.It is all about how we carry tradition into our lives.We can use the rites and rituals of our ancestors as something to support us when times are tough.We can lean on the ancient wisdom that has been passed down through our families or our culture.Yet if we allow those traditions to stop us from our natural growth we do them a disservice.They are meant to guide us and give us strength.They are not meant to stifle us and weigh us down.There is deep beauty in their symbology and their origins.Often, we don't see that beauty because we feel so disconnected to them.We can't see how they serve us in this modern world.We can't feel how they help us in our daily lives.Yet, when we need something extra to carry us through the hard times, they are there for us.Even the sheer knowledge that they have been handed down over the centuries can be comforting.Knowing that they have served our ancestors can help us to embrace what is before us.Yet traditions do not stop with our ancestors.They are ours to build upon and create as we feel is necessary as well.We can create our own traditions and hand them down as well.

~ Sam Liebowitz, The Conscious Consultant