There are expectations around special occasions which can become stressful and anxious. These in turn can reflect negatively on the couple’s interaction in all different life stages, cultures and religions. Shoulds and oughts which dominate on Special days in the calendar are adhered to without careful thought about who put them in the equation in the first place.
I see clients from very different roots and often notice that despite the language difference and cultural habits, couples find themselves in an opposite situation to the one they hoped would be a joyous celebration.
In the uk we are about to celebrate Easter on 31st March.
Ramadam is from 10th March – 9th April.
Passover is from 22nd April to 30th April.
Eastern Orthodox Christians on May 5th.
The Hindu Festival Baisakhi is on 9th April.
Ukraine’s Easter falls on 5th May.
Russian Orthodox also on 5th May.
On all these dates and many other celebration days, even the last two, people will be trying very hard to follow traditions and celebrate with their families and friends in the best and most loving way.
We all know, however, that as Mark Twain and Benjamin Franklin observed, fish, friends and family go off in 3 days. Busy couples trying to gather their families and attachments together are wise to avoid atmospheres and old resentments resurfacing by keeping everything short and enjoyable. The aim being that when leaving, the guests look forward to more of the same rather than finding everything too much. This way, what the couple wanted becomes something wonderful in their memory box and well handled brings a sense of achievement from couples planning with the same aim in mind.
Wishing everyone a Very Happy Celebration however they like to manage the occasion.