Tradition is another one of those funny habits we as humans tend to cling to. The holidays are creeping up, which means you may be in the planning process to perfectly execute the holiday recipes you’ve known for years.
A perfectly executed recipe is subjective. It either means it tastes just as good as it did when made by generations past, or it’s an even better version, with a modern twist.
In our house, you can count on waking up to butter bubble bread. We carefully follow the recipe, written by the hands of the 10-year-old version of my husband. It does pack in two sticks of butter, a package of instant butterscotch pudding and enough sugar to last a lifetime, but that’s why it’s so darn good! Perfecting this recipe does not start with reducing the sugar, it’s achieved by not burning it.
While food is often the centerpiece of holiday traditions, it’s when you pause to look around that you see a far more important tradition gathered around the table. The tradition of being with the people you care about. The tradition of human connection.
We are thriving when immersed in positive human interaction, in part because it provides a sense of security and belongingness. Being with people feeds our mental, emotional, spiritual and physical well-being. It fosters a magical, systemic happiness that improves health in a way which science cannot fully explain.
Of course, every family has their version of an Uncle Eddie. Who’s Uncle Eddie, you ask? I see it’s time to settle in for a “Christmas Vacation” refresher. Let’s just say these are the people who do a better job of raising your blood pressure than lowering it. For your own sanity, remember that sometimes it’s best to step away or say nothing at all.
Speaking of stepping away, how would you feel about stepping outside of the holiday norms to embrace social connection from a different approach?
As with most things, it’s easy to take social connection for granted, especially when you have it without needing to ask for it.
Remember that connection is a two way street. Part of the way we foster it is to be the one who reaches out to another human.
For your consideration, is there a neighbor, college student or co-worker who would be appreciative of a warm and welcoming invitation to receive the gift of human connection? A 2020 survey by Cigna suggests there will be, given that three out of five respondents reported feeling lonely. The simple act of inclusion may make a world of difference to someone else.
When you think back to holidays past, what stands out most? Rarely is it the food. Maybe the best tradition we have is the mix of people who help create the recipe for happiness.
Nicole Clark is the family and consumer science agent for the La Plata County Extension Office. Reach her at nicole.clark@colostate.edu or 382-6461.
