Happy New Year

As you shake off your shoes at your relatives' doorstep, exchange handshakes with faces you havent met for a year and wish the usual 'Happy New Year', have you ever felt like you were merely going through the motions?

Well, i did!

And so on Day 1 of the Chinese Lunar New Year this year, i resolved not to say 'Happy New Year' anymore but instead, a 'God bless you.'

Besides, it being a pagan festival with pagan origins, the Chinese Lunar New Year has no real significance for me other than being presented with an opportunistic moment in the busy year to get together with the whole extended family.

So while everyone was busy 'Happy New Yearing', here are some of the multifarious responses i received in return upon wishing my relatives 'God bless you':

1. 'Wah... you give me blessing ah... good good good...' - Auntie Anne, Ah Ee

2. -giggle- 'Haha... God bless you?' -giggle again- - Pauline

3. -smiles warmly- 'God bless you too.' - Uncle Vincent, Sar Pak

Bottom line is, i wish for all the wonderful people i've been blessed with to be blessed in return - that is why i decided a 'God bless you' is more powerful as a goodwill gesture and blessing than the boring and meaningless 'Happy New Year.'

This Lunar new year, I pray we can learn from the dog - to be a loyal family member whenever i am needed, and to be a loyal follower of Christ.

-rhino 69-