Ah, tradition.
It's a wonderful commodity, particularly amidst the fray of project deadlines, home repairs, school pageants and the dozens of other daily demands that leave little room for conscious thought.
With the mind set to autopilot at the crack of dawn life, at times, seems to careen down a perilous mountain road out of control - at least, out of your control.
Tradition is a wonderful respite.
It invites the laying aside of duties and drudgeries for more personal matters.
Tunnel vision gives way and, lo and behold, you find you have a family - and a dog named Peter.
A single deep breath later and you feel the first hint of feeling returning to your toes, fingers and, in the most welcome of transformations, your eyes begin to slowly uncross.
Now that a modicum of sanity has been restored to you, it's on to a day of turkey and stuffing, cranberries, sweet potatoes and pie.
That is, if you live in the United States.
But, what if you live in Malaysia?Would you really celebrate Thanksgiving in May?Hmm...
Go ahead.
Drown those mashed potatoes with giblet gravy, finish your drumstick and relish every bite of that rhubarb pie.
Now, settle down on the couch, put your feet up and dream.
Dream of how you might celebrate the Harvest if you lived in a country far, far away...
Malaysia:You pay homage to the rice gods throughout the month of May.
Drinking rice wine with local villagers, you dance, sing and feast your way through regional celebrations and then jostle in among the others for the best view - the buffalo races are about to begin.
Poland:You are a young village girl chosen for honor.
A crown of straw is placed upon your head.
The crowd watches as the mayor approaches and carefully sets a rooster atop the crown.
With pride you lead the procession of villagers and musicians and, in the most joyous of events, the rooster crows - a sign it will be an excellent year indeed! Zambia:The 24th of February has arrived at last.
You are most proud.
Your province chief has selected you to dance with other Ngoni warriors in the annual festival at Mutenguleni.
There, the Paramount Ngoni chief will choose the best of the twelve groups of warrior dancers and a great feast will celebrate the blessing of the harvest.
You are most anxious for the dancing to begin.
China:It was not meant to be.
Perhaps had your parents understood, or the demands of life been less harsh.
He was your true love...
Ah, but tonight is the 15th day of the 8th lunar moon, the night of the Harvest Moon Festival.
There is renewed hope.
Surely, as the poets write, lost lovers find their way in the light of this most bright moon and - the snap of a twig and you turn, catching your breath...
Egypt:Eagerly moving to the field's edge, you hope to once again come within mere cubits of Pharaoh.
The Spring Harvest honoring Min, the deity of vegetation and fertility, is about to begin and you are certain he will be at the front of the parade.
Yes - there he is!You feel humbled to have seen him for the fourth straight year.
Now, joining the others in harvesting the corn, you wail and howl with sorrow.
Your joy will only be released later, away from the spirits that inhabit the corn and would seek vengeance if they knew you secretly rejoiced at destroying their home and reaping the bounty.
The Netherlands:The news is dreadful.
How could this be?Your mind racing, you run through the fields seeking refuge.
There!That old barn.
You push back the rickety door, make your way inside and find a crevice among the hay bails just your size.
What?The geese - quiet, quiet!Ah, too late.
They find you out, St.
Martin of Tours, and, though you feel most unworthy, the news is true - a bishop you shall be.
In your continuing honor, each November 11th, they will celebrate Matinmas, complete with the traditional dish of roast goose.
Algonquian Tribes:You are a most thankful people.
The year will be filled with celebrations giving thanks and asking blessings, six in all.
You give thanks to the Creator for the syrup of the maple tree, ask his blessing on the planting seeds, rejoice in the strawberry as the season's first fruit, give thanks for the ripening corn, then celebrate its harvest in the fall.
Still thankful, you rejoice once more in midwinter over the bounty of the entire year.
It is a good way of life and your heart is full.
...
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee rouses you from your dreams.
Though you've slept but briefly you feel oddly refreshed, as though you've escaped the bounds of your hectic, frazzled life and stumbled upon a more simple existence.
Ah, such is the power of dreams.
Now that you've visited places far, far away don't carelessly cast them aside.
Return often and, if only for the briefest of moments, explore the rich images that paint the hidden canvases of your mind.
As a matter of fact - make it a tradition.