To Inspire:

The Memorial Tournament starts on Monday. Although I’m not a golfer, I’m very aware that it is one of golf’s greatest traditions, now spanning 50 years since the inaugural tournament in 1976. The tournament began as a dream of Columbus native Jack Nicklaus – to build a championship caliber course here in Columbus and to host a tournament each year (generally close to Memorial Day weekend) that would honor past legends of the game. The tournament celebrates both the sport itself and the greatness of those who have excelled in it. And as is the case with all great traditions, it brings people together to celebrate the past and to look forward to the future.

It has me thinking about the power and importance of traditions in our lives. Are there traditions that you are part of – in your family, at work or in your community? Or are there traditions that you can help build to enhance the life of others and pass on to them the values that have given your life meaning and purpose? In that regard I think of the beautiful family life dear friends and clients Clay Cormany and Becky Princehorn have built. One of their traditions occurs each Thanksgiving when they circulate “giving ballots” to everyone in the family: their children and their spouses as well as their grandchildren – 22 in all. No matter what age, each person selects a charity from each of four categories: Animals, food/education, children, and health. The charities have varied over the years, often in response to events impacting their family such as a cancer diagnosis, a volunteering experience at a food pantry, etc. The voting is secret and the charity receiving the most votes in each category receives a donation from Clay and Becky – with the charity receiving the most votes getting an extra donation. We featured Clay and Becky in a recent client story found here.

Isn’t that a wonderful tradition – they’ve created something that engages their entire family around a common cause and they are passing on the importance of giving. The sky is the limit for developing a new tradition – perhaps you choose to incorporate this idea into your family’s life or go in an entirely different direction. We have clients that have built powerful family traditions with annual vacations they take – or a second home that becomes a cherished place for their family to gather. And for those of you still working, bring traditions into your organization: perhaps a special celebration for the “birthday” of your organization – or special traditions around team members’ birthdays. Be creative and think out of the box.

In every flourishing culture, family, organization, and community, you will find traditions at their core. This weekend, give thought to how you can deepen existing traditions you’re part of or create new ones. Traditions are part of a great life so pursue them with great care and great enthusiasm.

Life is such a gift – let’s live with intentionality, with joy and with gratitude – and let’s use traditions to help us along the journey!

Written by Matt Palmer, Partner & Co-Founder