I used to think traditions were sort of a waste of time.
I didn’t understand the difference between “tradition” and “ritual.”
Rituals are performed mostly because they’re the way things have always been done. A long time ago, the ritual began with significant meaning or purpose. But, as it’s performed over and over, the meaning tends to get lost. Now, it’s just what we do because, well, it’s what we do.
Traditions are different, because hopefully they aren’t about what we do but about the meaning and purpose. The tradition is a reminder, from year-to-year or generation-to-generation, of why.
I’ll bet you can think of any number of rituals you encounter in church or in your everyday life. And I’ll bet there are a few traditions that make a significant impact.
At the Freedom Tour, we try to avoid rituals. We try to re-think each year how and why we do things, to avoid simply doing what we’ve always done… just because that’s what we’ve always done.
We do, however, retain a few traditions. One of those is “Helmets Up!”
On our very first ride together in 2013, our small group gathered in a circle. We talked together for a few moments about the kids. It was a time to focus and remember we were doing something more than just another bike ride.
Then, everyone in the circle raised our helmets (or hats for the support folks) and we prayed. A reminder of who we follow as we ride.
At the beginning of a ride, everyone is eager to get started. It’s tempting to skip past Helmets Up. But we don’t. On every Freedom Tour ride, we continue this tradition.
It has nothing to do with raising helmets. That’s just a symbol, a way to remind ourselves to stop and remember our purpose. Raising our helmets reminds us why we ride and who travels with us.
I hope Helmets Up never becomes an empty ritual.
What are the meaningful traditions in your life?
How will you pass them on and keep them from becoming rituals?