So this is the week we celebrate the Fourth of July and all the wonderful traditions that go with this festive holiday. The fireworks, cook-outs and family and friends that gather together, all to honor our country, celebrate summer and all the fun things life has to offer. Traditions are an interesting thing to ponder. I remember my childhood with mom and dad going to watch the fireworks in our convertible car, and my sister and I pretending to take turns shooting the fireworks as if we were making them happen. Silly times, but they are great memories. It is amazing how traditions change over the years. As friends and family change with age and some move away or pass on, it always seems that we try to hold onto traditions, but the memories of the way the traditions were in the past always seem to be something to behold and cherish.

It seems many traditions revolve around a holiday or special day. I have strong memories of family activities around all the holidays when I was growing up. Those same memories are also cherished of the special times my family has shared as my two sons have grown up.

I have always looked at traditions as a very positive thing, but recently I am having some interesting feelings when it comes to traditions. First, what's wrong with starting a new tradition? Maybe its time to freshen up an old worn out tradition and make it new. I know in some cases this is prompted by certain life changes that naturally happen as people grow and age. I know Christmas morning has changed drastically in the last 15 years as my sons changed from waking up at the first light of day to start the family tradition of opening gifts. But now it's the boys who are sleeping in and in turn I am up early wishing we could start our traditional day. These days my parents are spending the holidays in a warmer climate and many of the loved ones have passed on, so things have a much different feeling surrounding the old holidays of years gone by.

The business community also has their share of traditions and those elements of the year that are reserved for certain annual occurring work necessities. For example, budgets, and projections, reviews and evaluations of personnel and performance to gain a clearer direction on how things might be made better in the future, and how we can grow our ventures into a more sustainable future version of our current self.

I think it's great to get the most you can out of traditions, but also not be afraid to try to establish new ones. After all, the old ones had to start at some point, right? Try to make things relevant, fun and inclusive. Try to create the sense of excitement that will draw you to doing that special thing again next year. Most of all, surround yourself with activities that make you happy!