Author: Nick Pan

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CNY 2009 Day 1

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Like every other year, the first day of CNY is to sleep in. Once everyone have enough sleep, then the day starts.

The girls got changed and they simply love their outfits. Went to my mom’s place, my in-laws place, my father in-law’s brother place, my mother in-law’s mother’s place, then got home close to midnight. Indeed it was a long day.

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Clié and Cleo were generally well behaved, however as kids are kids, their excitement do get the better of them at times.

My dear wife, wore a beautiful Kebaya, it looked great. I wonder what she will wear on the 2nd day of CNY.

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The problem with Luck and Superstition

Warning
Religious content, don’t read if you don’t want to.

The Lunar New Year is here once again and many are going to different places to ask for blessings for good luck. Some are buying symbolic stuff in the hope that their luck will be better in the new year. I’ve no problem with humble people wanting the best for their family, but its another thing to be fixated on oneself and selfishly ask for prosperity. Being Christian, i’ve got a problem with “luck” and “superstition”.

According to Wikipedia’s Superstitions during the New Year period, there are some things people do for “Good Luck”, here are some examples:

  • Opening windows and/or doors is considered to bring in the good luck of the new year.
  • Switching on the lights for the night is considered good luck to ‘scare away’ ghosts and spirits of misfortune that may compromise the luck and fortune of the new year.
  • Wearing a new pair of slippers that is bought before the new year, because it means to step on the people who gossip about you.
  • The night before the new year, bathe yourself in pomelo leaves and some say that you will be healthy for the rest of the new year.

However, there are some about “Bad Luck” as well, here are some examples:

  • Getting a hair-cut in the first lunar month puts a curse on maternal uncles. Therefore, people get a hair-cut before the New Year’s Eve.
  • Washing your hair is also considered to be washing away one’s own luck.
  • Sweeping the floor is usually forbidden on the first day, as it will sweep away the good fortune and luck for the new year.

But sorry, i’m Christian, i don’t believe in Luck. But then again unfortunately the world is unfortunately currently under the control of the evil one and the evil one likes to bind people with fears and uncertainties.

“We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” ~ 1 John 5:19

So how true are some of these superstition? Can we / should we even believe in superstition and subject ourselves to such unnecessary fear? Should we even believe there is such a thing as “Bad Luck”.

I think being human, we all want peace in our lives and thats fine as that makes us ask questions and seek answers in order to understand and attain true peace.

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” ~ John 8:32

But then again some Christians still practice some superstition out of respect for the elders, then again some practice Christianity out of respect for their elders as well. lol…

Anyway, my point is why subject ourselves to unnecessary believes and fears set by man, some of these believes are manipulated by the evil one under the disguise of good intention. So Christians, if you are reading this, go read Mark 7.

He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.” ~ Mark 7:6-8

Here is wishing you a great lunar new year,  a year that you will finally make a difference to yourself and to others, a joyful, meaningful and purposeful year.

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