By Joy Simmons
Traditions transcend time and place and are carried with us as sweet reminders of those we love, Lloyd Newell said Thurs., April 11, to a room full of BYU students.
Newell, an associate professor in the School of Family Life, said it”s important for a new couple to take the best of his and her traditions and create their own. These traditions form the framework of meaning and purpose in marriages and families.
“Rituals and traditions are like a window inside your family,” he said.
His talk was part of a workshop series called “The Relationship Times” offered through Women”s Services and Resources. This is the third workshop in the series and was titled “Tradition! Strengthening Marriage and Family Through Traditions.”
“Leave today with the word intentional in your brain,” Newell told students.
He emphasized the importance of being, what he calls, an intentional family and an intentional couple. He said an intentional couple moves forward as a pair, speaks the language of love, smells the roses, dates weekly and renders benevolence. Intentional families celebrate, nurture with devotion, dedicate time, forgive and show love.
“I think families can”t celebrate enough,” Newell said.
Effective family rituals and traditions are intentional, repeated, consistent and coordinated activities that have significance to family members, he said.
One tradition Newell said that has blessed him and his family for 12 years now is his involvement in Music and the Spoken Word.
“It is not just for Latter-day Saints, it”s a beloved tradition around the world,” he said.
He has received letters from several people who fondly recall growing up listening to Music and the Spoken Word.
While some families listen to music together, other families work together or play sports together. He said these times will provide a source of strength to families and give a family its identity.
“It”s our traditions and rituals and faith that help keep us who we are,” Newell said.
He shared with students several quotes from people of all religions and backgrounds whom he talked to about tradition. They related to him the importance of traditions and rituals in their lives. They said a tradition”s meaning will grow over time.
One college student related to him her desire to pray with her father again like she did regularly when she lived at home. Newell said it”s the traditions that people remember after family members have passed on.
“If you look for opportunities to celebrate rituals and traditions, it can be a great blessing to your family,” Newell said.
