“We first make our habits, and then our habits make us” – John Dryden 1631-1700
What makes traditions so important to us? Why is “tradition” an easily accepted answer for many of the strange or odd habits we have?
Well, for one thing, children generally like to emulate their parents. So if their parents always did something specific or superstitional, chances are the children will do the same. Traditions are generally habits handed down from generation to generation, unless someone decides to start their own tradition themself. In a way, these traditions are comforting, if not always rational. One would probably feel comfortable doing what was always done, instead of breaking out of tradition. People don’t usually hold on to traditions because they understand what they are doing and think it is the right thing to do – often, they have no idea why they are doing the action. They do it because it is “tradition” and it is done, rarely for a specific or productive reason. Dryden was right – first the habits are made, and once we’ve been doing them for a while, these very habits affect us. Sometimes we even begin to shape our lives around them.
Traditions can be very good for a person. Perhaps a person’s routine allows them to get the most out of their day. If one is religious, especially if they understand the reasons for practicing their religion, then it is important for them to continue carrying on their traditions. Traditions can complete a person, make a person who they are (as Dryden said). This is not always a bad thing, if you think about it.
Habit and routine are great veils over our existence. As long as they are securely in place, we need not consider what life means; its meaning seems sufficiently incarnate in the triumph of the daily habit. When the social fabric is rent, however, man is suddenly thrust outside, away from the habits and norms he once accepted automatically. There, on the outside, his questioning begins.
- William Barrett Irrational Man
Barret makes it seem like people only feel secure within their habits and normalcy. According to Barrett, people do not question their traditions until the “fabric is rent”, until something makes them stop and think about what they are doing. Some do wait for a catalyst to make them think twice about their traditions. But there are those who question traditions every day – those who question their religion, schedule, or routines – with no “rent fabric”. Through this questioning comes change, sometimes for the better, sometimes not. Maybe more should step back and look critically at their own traditions, without a push, and perhaps improve their own lives.
