Business Jargon: Can You Talk the Talk?

            Jargon has become increasingly easier to find in both speech and text. Essentially, jargon is the technical terms and buzzwords associated with a particular topic or field. Jargon can be frustrating to an outsider because it makes it difficult to understand what others mean. The problems and emptiness of jargon gave it a negative connotation long ago. That has not stopped people from using it. What is a person to do as jargon persists?

            Jargon is especially a problem in the world of business. Different fields have their language and appear to take pride in using it. They have no problem dropping their buzzwords and peculiar phrasing because it is assumed that everyone else understands. It isn’t just technical terms that serve as roadblocks. Common words such as “empower,” “innovate,” or “diversity” are used so often in written materials that they’ve lost their meaning. This has created many issues and wasted too much time.

            The way to survive business jargon is twofold. First, don't accept it as a reasonable answer. Speak up if something does not make sense. Ask for an explanation. It is better to get an answer right away than to waste time trying to figure out what it means. It is not going to make you look bad or taint your reputation. It is honestly the responsible approach because you're taking the initiative to keep clear communication and use your time efficiently. Those are two things that businesses love.

Sometimes asking for an explanation is not possible such as when one is dealing with written materials. In that situation, it is best to begin researching. Sadly, business jargon has initiated the creation of many jargon dictionaries. If you often come across jargon, it might be a good idea to invest in such a dictionary. A simple internet or book search can also provide the meaning of the troubling word or phrase.

            The second part of dealing with business jargon is to not use it. Don't be part of the problem by keeping these words alive. As jargon continues to be used, it loses its meaning and becomes nothing more than a trite expression. At that point, it becomes an excuse. Rather than taking the time to write something meaningful that readers can understand, the writer inserts jargon. This is far from right. If something is important enough to be said, it should be important enough to say in common sense terms. It might require more effort on the part of the writer, but it is worth it because of the benefits to readers and businesses. Work will get done and communication won't be a confusing jumble of words.

            Jargon and buzzwords are persistent problems in the business world and other industries. The best way to handle it is by asking questions and researching meanings. It is also important that you don't use jargon yourself because it only makes the problem worse. Writers need to think about what they want to write and write it in common sense terms that explain their full meaning. If writers will take the time to use plain English, readers will be able to do more with the information that they’re reading.

Making Sense of American and British English

            As I continue in my career as a copyeditor, the many differences between American and British English have become more apparent to me. On the one hand, I have gotten great pleasure out of discovering the many British words that have worked their way into my vocabulary. I assume that is a direct result of the amount of British literature and TV that I indulge in regularly. On the other hand, it has also served to be a conundrum. There are so many differences and I don't want to jump back and forth between the two versions of English within the same work. I am certain I am not the only editor or writer who has quickly become confused and uncertain of what is right. With personal experience in mind, I am offering you several tips that I have found work best when dealing with American and British English.

            The first tip is fairly basic but very much a necessity. Learn about the most common variations. Research either American or British English so that you can know how that form of English works. You don’t have to be an expert, nor have it all memorized. You do need to be aware of what differences exist so that your mental editor can recognize any possibilities for trouble. The first difference to be aware of is spellings. That is a sticking point for me that has often resulted in me cursing the name of Noah Webster and wondering why one spelling wasn't good enough. Be aware of differences like "colour" versus "color" or "centre" instead of "center." It is the slight deviations in spelling that can be the trickiest to catch.

Two more differences to keep in mind are wording and grammar. For instance, a muffin in American English is a very different thing from a muffin in British English. Also, Americans and British treat verbs and subject/verb agreement differently. The British have also retained some words and verb conjugations that have already fallen from favor in America. While I am on the subject, it isn't enough to be aware of American versus British English. For the sake of your audience, you need to think about what dialect the text is using. Just like there are differences between the parts of the US, different parts of Britain will have variations.

            At this point, it might sound hopeless. How is anyone supposed to make it through a manuscript without botching the language? The second tip I have for you is the biggest lifesaver. Invest in both a good British English and American English dictionary. You can’t know everything, so it is best to be armed with the answers for when the questions arise. Even when you feel certain you have the right word or spelling, check the dictionary. You can never be too certain. It is much better to take the time to check a right answer than to miss a wrong one.

            A dictionary is fine but looking things up does take time and can throw you off when you're on a roll. This is where a style sheet becomes imperative. As you look things up or find yourself referring to a certain point repeatedly, write it down on a style sheet so that you can have easy access to the answers you need. This will save you time throughout your work and make it so that the most common answers you need are readily available.

            Finally, I suggest that you practice. The more you write or edit with a certain type of English, the more comfortable you will become. It will feel more natural as you learn how to use it and get used to the sound of it. Speaking of sound, it can also be helpful to read that variant of English. I can certainly testify to how well reading can work in teaching one either American or British English.

           An editor or writer who has to use either American or British English may find the differences in grammar, spelling, and meaning to be confusing. By being aware of these differences and preparing for them, one can master the variations and write clear English manuscripts. An editor or writer simply needs to arm themselves with a dictionary and style sheet so that they can use either form of English without the struggle of guessing which way is correct.

January's Feature Book: The Importance of Being Earnest

            I have a confession to make, readers. With holidays and sickness and a bout of winter laziness, working on a book review did not score high on my list of priorities and eventually fell by the wayside. If you are at all familiar with The Importance of Being Earnest[1], you probably think I’m cheating. Honestly, I am cheating because I could not let myself do nothing for this month. So instead of a full-length novel, you are getting a theatrical production. That does not mean that Earnest isn’t worth the read. This work by Oscar Wilde is a comedic classic and has long been one of my favorites.

            Earnest was first presented in London in 1895 on Valentine's day. I wouldn't really suggest taking your sweetheart to this one though because the characters' ideas on romance and marriage are highly questionable. The main character is the bachelor, Mr. John Worthing, who has an inconsistent relationship with the truth. This failure to adhere to honesty causes him a great deal of trouble when he decides it is time to get married. What follows is witty repartee and a hilariously tangled chain of events that teach Jack an unforgettable lesson about always being earnest.

            Oscar Wilde is one of those authors that I have a hard time liking. He goes on the same list as Jack London and Ernest Hemingway for me. Most of his works that I have read were plain not for me, but Earnest is an exception. Because of Wilde’s stellar humor spread throughout the play, I keep returning and still laugh even though I've read the jokes countless times. Whether it’s a play on words or a jab at the government, Wilde does have a knack for finding the right amount of humor in each moment. Even though society is not the same – and there's the pesky detail of the play being located across the Atlantic – the humor is still there and still packs just as powerful of a punch because it transcends time and place.

            A large part of the humor and what makes this play great are the characters. The ladies of Earnest are fickle and have absurd notions of what constitutes a good husband. Lady Bracknell won me over the moment she started in her ridiculous interrogation to decide if Mr. Worthing would be suitable enough for her daughter Gwendolyn. Starting with her comments about smoking being an occupation and ending with her emphatic assertion that Gwendolyn could not marry into a coat-closet, Lady Bracknell personifies the more questionable aspects of the Victorian era. Her social commentary about the shallowness of society matrons, the lack of proper education, and disgust over even the slightest hint of "French morals" ring very true for the era. For all the good and wholesomeness of the era, it also produced its share of hallow ideals and masked problems. Just the same, there are few ladies so formidable that they can easily decide to change what’s fashionable.

            Then there is Miss Gwendolyn Fairfax and Miss Cecily Cardew. Both ladies have plenty to say without really saying anything. They both personify fickleness in that they are both always right and never wrong in everything they say. Miss Fairfax just knew she would be friends with Miss Cardew and the next instant always knew that Miss Cardew couldn’t be trusted. Similarly, Miss Cardew regularly contradicts herself and changes her opinions as they suite her each moment.

            The two main gentlemen of the play, Mr. John Worthing and Mr. Algernon Moncrieff, each have their interesting qualities and character flaws. The most notable thing about Mr. Moncrieff is that when he’s not eating, he actually has more substance to him than one might think. The things he says are on the surface, outrageous and jaded. But if one takes the time to think about it, they have a grain of truth in them. Algy might actually understand the world much better than anyone realizes. Jack has his issues with life and society. He takes the wrong things too seriously and gets himself worked up over details that really shouldn't matter. Because of their opposing personalities, Algy and Jack's conversations hold some of the best jokes and most biting sarcasm.

           The truth, unfortunately, is the elusive piece throughout the play. Mr. Worthing has built an entire web of lies to make life easier for himself. When he decides to correct the matter by getting rid of the lies in one fell swoop, they all come back to haunt him. When finally faced with actual truth, Mr. Worthing's lies take on a whole new image that he never expected them to. Mr. Moncrieff’s series of lies is also a problem and when combined with Mr. Worthing's, they create a perfect storm.

While I agree with Wilde in his social commentary throughout the play, I have always questioned his treatment of the truth. There is something about the idea that the lies were truth and the truth was a lie that bothers me. It almost feels like Mr. Worthing gets off a little too easy after lying to everyone for so many years. On the other hand, it seems deserved. It’s not like Mr. Moncrieff or Miss Fairfax are saints. When one really thinks about it, no one in the play takes the truth very serious. I believe that the play is showing that honesty is better, but I’m not sure it does it in a very convincing matter.

            I suggest you either watch or read this fantastic play and tell me what you think of the ending. Did you see it coming? What do you think of Oscar Wilde's handling of the truth? No matter how one feels about the moral implications of the story, all must agree that the humor transcends the years making this play just as biting and hilarious now well over one hundred years later.

---

[1] Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People, http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/844, Accessed January 27, 2020.

My 2020 Book Challenge

            The holidays have ended; another year is gone. During the holiday season, I saw many posts on social media talking about how many books that person had read in 2019 along with a picture of an impressive stack of books. That got me thinking. How many books did I read in the past year? I know I read a lot because my shelves witness to that fact, but I've never actually kept track. The more I thought about it, the more curious I became. Thus, it is with much excitement I embark on 2020 intending to find an answer that will satisfy my curiosity.

            Books have always been an essential part of my life. My mom instilled a love for the written word in me at an early age and my face has been in a book ever since. I know from experience that reading can not only open up the fictional world but also enlighten a reader about the real world. Countless times a book has sparked a series of questions for me that results in an alarming amount of knowledge about unusual topics. I want that because with each book I finish my views about the world shift. Each story reveals more to me about people and cultures. They teach me about the effects of different circumstances and events. Books help me understand the world I live in and beyond.

            Because of my love of books, I have an eternal book list. You know what I'm talking about. That book list that you're never going to finish in your lifetime because you add books to it at a faster rate than you can read them. I know that I'm most likely not going to make much of a dent in my list this year, but I am trying to be optimistic as I plan out my reading goals. I’m not going into this experiment with a mere list of what I’ve read. Planning is a must in my world, so I’ve created a goal to pursue and set parameters for achieving it. To start, I am going to count both new books and old ones. Books are like old friends to me. I have to visit them often. While I'm not certain, I think it is safe to say I reread books more often than I read new ones. All genres are going to be acceptable as well as all formats. Collections and novellas are common reads for me because of how much easier they are to fit into a schedule. I want to count them to get a more accurate idea of how much reading I do in a year.

            Having some rules to follow is good, but I need a goal to pursue. For the year 2020, my goal is to read 50 books. A lot of thought went into this number. First, I've considered how much reading I do each day. Every day I read for research and educational purposes as well as the reading that I do for enjoyment. However, I've slowed down considerably from the amount of reading I used to do. I no longer have time to read a book in one day. I'm also taking into consideration that over my holiday break, I've read two novellas and nearly finished a full novel. I believe that fifty books are a challenge without being impossible. Knowing my personality, it's going to become a challenge to see how many books over fifty I can read.

            As much as I love books, I love them even more when reading them with others. This experiment would be so much better if everyone participated. I invite all of you readers to keep track of your book count with me. You can follow the same set of rules that I’m using or come up with your own that better fits the way you read. Set yourself a goal for this year and start turning those pages! As the year progresses, I will occasionally give updates. At the end of the year, we can reveal our results and maybe plan loftier goals for the new year. I have a feeling that this is going to be an adventure-filled year – in my literary world at least.

Seasonal Felicitations: The Art of Writing a Christmas Letter

            Christmas is coming, folks! It's time to get some paper and pens because we are going to write letters. I am without question a traditionalist because I thoroughly enjoy both writing and receiving letters. Letter-writing was an important form of communication for many centuries. It is one part of past society that I do not wish to give up. A card is always nice, but there is something about a letter that makes it seem extra special to me. A letter is such a unique way to communicate with others, especially for the holidays. It forces a pause as you take the time to write. It is symbolic of what the receiver means to you because you took that time to write those words. This week, I am going to be sharing some tips and ideas for you to use as you write letters to your friends and family this season.

            Before you begin writing, there are a few things you should keep in mind to make your letter better. The first is to avoid trite expressions and cliches as much as possible. You mustn't just put words on a page for the sake of filling it. Using filler words defeats the purpose of writing a letter. This message should be, in some ways, similar to having a face-to-face conversation with the person. It should mean something for both of you. Rambling about everything that pops into your head or stringing together overused holiday phrases does nothing for you or the receiver. The letter should communicate whatever it is that you want the reader to know. The Christmas cheer you're sharing means more if you stay on point and don't stray into trivial topics that are not part of that point.

            It also helps if you shut off the mental editor. The length of the letter and the grammar does not matter. Remember, the message of your letter is more important than the length of it. If you cannot stop yourself from editing while you write, I suggest writing a draft before making the actual letter. In actuality, I would advise everyone to start with a draft. It makes it so much easier to decide what you want to say without the pressure of it being a final decision.

            Now it is time to start writing. Often, it can be very hard to get that first word onto the page. The following are some ideas that will hopefully get you started with your holiday letters. My first suggestion is to be reflective. Write about the past year. What has changed? Did something good happen over the past year? You can think about your relationship with the receiver. What do they mean to you? What would you say to them if you were with them right now? Is there something you wish they knew or would take away from the past year? As you answer these questions you might be able to see the beginnings of a letter forming. Christmastime is good for all those deeper thoughts as you face the end of another year. It can also make you more appreciative of people and circumstances.

            If you don't want to venture into overly emotional writing, you can take a more conversational approach. Treat this letter similarly to the way you would treat any other letter. Talk about whatever you want to tell the recipient the same way you would in a conversation with them. Of course, this letter is supposed to be for the holidays. You can always decorate it by having a conversation about the holidays and what you both have happening in your lives. Write about holiday plans or what you would like your holiday season to be like. Ask the receiver about their holidays and the traditions they will be keeping. You can mention memories of past holidays and what about them you hope will carry on into the approaching season.

            There are many more ideas out there that one can find on the internet. You can also look at different books, movies, and songs for inspiration. I found several hours worth of enjoyment looking at Victorian Era books about correspondence. Just be certain that you give credit where it is due when quoting so that it doesn't appear that they are your words. The possibilities are endless which is something that I have always liked about writing letters. I can say what I want without all the noise. I feel like I have better chances of being heard because it is simply my words on a page without any other added nonsense.

            I hope these tips and ideas get you started as you write letters this holiday season. It can be just as enjoyable to write these letters as it is to receive one. Besides, you can brighten people’s day by making sure there is something worth receiving in their mail. A letter can be a nice change of pace and a very pleasant surprise. Happy writing to all of you! For those of you who celebrate it, I hope you have a lovely Santa Lucia Day.

Seasonal Felicitations: The Art of Writing a Christmas Card

            It is once again that time of year. People all over are getting ready to send out their holiday cards and letters. For many folks, the thought of any type of card or letter sends their brain into a panic that results in writer's block. There is no need to worry though. Writing a holiday greeting can be enjoyable and is much simpler than you think. There are many tips and tricks you can use to help you know what to write. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be giving you some of the tips and ideas I use for filling the blank page with a nice and heartfelt message.

            First, let’s focus on cards. Sending a card to family, friends, or other acquaintances can be a thoughtful and personal way to wish others well no matter what season it is. It can be tempting to let the card do the talking and simply sign your name, but I promise you that writing something will make the card that much more special to the receiver. To start, I’ll give some basic parameters to help you as you think about what to write. Afterwards, I will include some ideas that I often use to help get the words flowing.

            To begin, the most important thing to take away from this is to not be trite! No one wants to hear "'tis the season" or "deck the halls." It has been said way too often and is an opening for some very bad puns. You can do better than that. The point is to make the card special for the receiver. For it to be special, it needs to carry your voice in the words. If you truly mean it when you say one of these classic phrases, by all means, use it. Just don’t let it be a way to cut corners in your writing.

            That leads me to my next tip. You don’t have to be a poet. No one expects you to write a long, fancy message in a card. If that is part of your personality and writing style, it will work well for you. Otherwise, it’s best to use plain English and only write a few lines. It takes the pressure off you if you stop trying to write a well-polished piece ready for publishing. It isn’t necessary and can make your card overly formal. The Victorians firmly believed that something handmade was more valuable whether it was clothing, decorations, or a remedy for illness. Your card should follow this same idea. Its value comes from you.

            My last tip is to be concise. Cards are small. They are meant to send a nice little note. It doesn’t have to contain a novel about the past year or what the receiver means to you. The recipient of your message is not an editor (unless, of course, they are) and is not judging your writing. No matter the length of your message, the person receiving it is going to be focused on the heart behind it. You took the time to write to them and that is what matters. Remember: quality, not quantity.

            OK, now that you have some guidelines to follow as you write, it is time to start generating ideas. With cards, it can be much easier because the message tends to only be a few sentences. It is just enough space to get your meaning across without being overly verbose. I will give you some ideas that I use to start writing in my cards. I know that some of these tricks are unusual, but they’ve always worked for me and, hopefully, they will for you as well.

            The first idea is to turn to the greats. Start with a good quote or just read what literary geniuses have written to see if it inspires some writing gold of your own. It can especially be helpful if you know of someone your recipient particularly likes. A quote from that person, book, movie, or song can be a good personal touch to the card’s note. There is a myriad of quotes out there. The best way to find the perfect one if you don’t have a person or work in mind is to choose a theme. What exactly do you like about that person or want to tell them this holiday season? As an example, let’s say I want to tell my family and friends how much they mean to me in the cards I’m sending. After doing various searches online, I decide I want to quote the poet Christina Rossetti. I’ve loved her work ever since I read her poem “Remember” not long after my grandma passed away. I find a collection of her works available on poets.org[1]. Sifting through her works, I decide to use the final stanza of her poem “Christmastide.”[2] Using that I can write in the cards something along the lines of this: “’Love shall be our token, / Love be yours and love be mine, / Love to God and all men, / Love for plea and gift and sign.’ I send my love to you this Christmas and thank you for the gift of yours.”

            If quotes just aren’t doing it for you, there is another trick you can try. As someone who loves languages, I’ve been known to diversify the location of my cards. I can’t claim credit for this idea though. Many years of cards I couldn’t read because my brother wrote them in multiple foreign languages served as inspiration. In all honesty, it can be a useful idea. Languages often have words with nuances that your native language can’t convey. It can also be a personal touch if there is a certain country or culture the receiver enjoys. For instance, I might write “Buon Natale!” in a card to my family because we are Italian and that is how you say “Merry Christmas” in Italian. I have an interest in Norway, so folks aren’t surprised to receive Norwegian messages from me. Hey, I have to practice on somebody! I know ancestry has gained new prominence in society as of late. Try writing a greeting in your ancestors’ native languages. One word of advice I would give is don't depend on Google Translate. It is better to find it either in a dictionary or on a language learning website. You have better chances of it coming out grammatically correct.

            One final idea I have for card-writing is both simple and hard. Write from the heart. Yes, I know it sounds cliché. Whether you think so or not, your best writing happens when you write what comes to mind without giving it too much thought. You can always write a draft first and put an edited version in the card. Sometimes our first thoughts can be our truest because they are unfiltered. If you are taking the time to write in a card, you want it to convey your feelings and true thoughts. You want the person receiving it to know that they are appreciated and valued. They are worth the effort of a card so your message should represent what is in your heart.

            I hope these tips and ideas will help you get started on what proves to be a successful card-writing season. I also would be happy to hear what you do to write in your cards. Do you have certain tricks or tips for getting past that dreaded blank space? I’m always open to new ideas. Next week, we’ll talk more about my favorite holiday writing: holiday letters. Until then, I hope you enjoy Advent and the rest of the holiday season.

---

[1] Academy of American Poets, https://poets.org/, retrieved November 29, 2019.

[2] Christina Rossetti, “Christmastide,” Academy of American Poets, https://poets.org/poem/christmastide, retrieved November 29, 2019.

November's Feature Book: The Europeans

            Last month, I finished reading my first Henry James novel, The Bostonians. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to find another of his works to read. Therefore, this month is all about James' short novel, The Europeans. Once again, I couldn't get enough of the novel. Twelve chapters almost didn't seem like enough to truly do the characters justice. Even so, the characters are detailed and interesting. The plotline is a unique one of comparison between two European siblings and their New Englander cousins. The differences are striking and slightly ironic, which makes the story that much better.

            Descriptions and characters are what drive this novel. Action and settings are minimal. The descriptions of the place and its influence on the people are a major aspect. Colors, sunsets, and tree lines all play a part in expressing the characters' feelings and actions at any one moment. The best aspect is the characters themselves. They are who I intend to focus on. A small family circle is presented to the reader to study. First, there are the Europeans, Eugenia – also known as Madame Munster – and her brother Felix Young. Eugenia is a baroness who is complicated, critical, and scheming. Her brother is her opposite as an eternally joyful artist whose goal in life is to find the silver lining. These siblings stand out against the backdrop of their cousins, the Wentworths and the Actons.

            I wanted so badly to like Eugenia. Much like Robert Acton, I seemed to have been drawn in by the woman’s mysterious persona. Through the novel, I wavered between thinking she was a good woman in a bad situation or an immoral woman using good people. For the sake of both her and her relatives, I wanted it to be the former. However, Eugenia makes more than a few bad choices in the novel. The one that bothers me the most is her lying to Robert. It seemed as if she loved him. In the end, I don't think she truly was. If she were in love, Eugenia wouldn't have treated Robert so poorly or gotten overly involved with her other cousin Clifford Wentworth.

            Unlike Eugenia, her brother Felix is a delight. I realize that many would soon tire of Felix's optimism and sunny disposition, but I rather like it. Despite all the protests Felix made about his being a Bohemian, I think his roots ran much deeper. His uncle, Mr. Wentworth, must have seen something too considering he came very close to asking for his nephew's advice. In an often hateful world, Felix managed to hold on to a measure of innocence. He could still see the beauty in life and thoroughly enjoyed it. Felix didn't have much as a traveling artist and actor, but he seemed more content with life than anyone else in the book.

In sharp contrast to the European siblings are their cousins. First is Eugenia and Felix's uncle, Mr. Wentworth. He was pious and well-respected. He struggled with the knowledge of how his niece and nephew lived and wondered often about the moral aspects. While not a character in the forefront, I believe Mr. Wentworth is an interesting character to study. He had a front-row seat to this comparison of Old World versus New World. Mr. Wentworth wanted earnestly to understand and make a wise decision, but the ideals of the Old World baffled him. I don't find that overly surprising. How would you react to a mere notion of family members suddenly becoming a living reality? All his ideas and imaginings were put to the test. It can be jolting when reality proves one's imaginings to be false. Mr. Wentworth had become used to the way things were. A shake-up of these proportions was a shock. How he reacted is the interesting part. Mr. Wentworth was open to hearing out his niece and nephew. Mr. Wentworth naturally wanted what was best for his newfound family members even if he was uncertain what that would be.

Mr. Wentworth’s three children also give readers plenty to consider. Clifford was Mr. Wentworth's only son and his more troublesome child. Clifford traded the sin of drunkenness for the sin of getting mixed up with married Madame Munster. I won't say that he fell in love because I don't think it is true. Even if Clifford were in love, his behavior said he was too naïve to realize it. There are also Mr. Wentworth's two daughters, Charlotte and Gertrude. Charlotte was very similar to her father. She wavered between dismay and disapproval concerning her cousins. Gertrude, on the other hand, was fascinated by Eugenia and completely dazzled by Felix. She alone amongst her family came to life with the arrival of their visitors.

Finally, there are the Actons, Robert and Lizzie. Robert was the most cosmopolitan of the family. Naturally, he thought he could see straight through Eugenia to her true motives. Madame Munster was a master at weaving a web and Robert was quickly caught in it. Lizzie was impertinent and overly confident. She knew what she thought and, more importantly, what she wanted. Her goal was to marry Clifford and live a successful life as a New England lady. In some ways, I found her annoying. But, I have to respect her drive and strong personality.

           In the end, The Europeans was a lovely short novel that made me smile. The New Englanders tried so hard to hold the traditions passed down from them and uphold a high moral standard, but the Old World had let what was fade into the past. They were somehow more progressive than the New World. I wonder how much of that is true even now. Do we hold to traditions much more tightly than our ancestors? Do we even know why we do the things that we do? I love traditions, but I believe they are useless if we don’t have a reason or meaning behind them. Many of us will be keeping the tradition of having dinner with our families tomorrow for Thanksgiving. Giving our family our time, reflecting on our blessings, and remembering those who came before us are all very good reasons for keeping a tradition. I hope everyone has a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!