Have a Holiday with Pat Pending

...and Clark Bartron and Dante, likely

The holiday season is rife with traditions, some religious, others...not so much. Here are mine. None are optional. All are symbolic. Some may involve paperwork.

The Feast of Strategic Leftovers

Celebrate December 26 with this long honored post-siege tradition. No new food is prepared. All leftovers must be consumed, reassembled, or rebranded. Abundance is temporary, but cold turkey is eternal.

The Candle of Deferred Decisions

One candle is lit and deliberately not blown out until everyone names a decision they are not making until next year. It is not avoidance, it is delay. Much of life is battle, but some is lying in wait.

The Exchange of Mildly Threatening Gifts

Gifts must be thoughtful but ambiguous. A book titled "Leadership Through Fire." A journal. A very sharp pen. Generosity should inspire gratitude, reflection, but never wound. “I saw this and thought of who you could become.”

The Annual Burning of the Org Chart

A symbolic diagram: family roles, work hierarchy, or imagined authority, is burned or shredded. A reminder that power is collected, curated, directed, and then moves on. Very effective for holiday HOA meetings.

The Closing Affirmation

A New Year's tradition - A toast is made not to success, joy, or prosperity, but to endurance. Victory is never guaranteed, but continuation is manditory until what you attack submits.

The toast:

“I release what no longer serves me.

I keep what still works.

I enter the new year undefeated.”

Thank you for taking your journey with us. Clark, Dante, and I are humbled and grateful. Have a holiday.