Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Live Simply

As the Lunar New Year's hustle and bustle loom before me, I wonder:
What's wrong with me?

I feel no excitement over this lengthy 15-day celebration when one day suffice for me to greet the new year.

I feel it's a dread
to walk among the crowd jostling for the best buys and the goodies that make you want to rush to the gym 3 days after consumption.

I feel a weariness come over me, just thinking of the menu for the Reunion Dinner, while my husband waits in line at the bank for new dollar notes.

So....what's all the fuss about the Year of the Pig?

I'm all for simple living!

1. I don't need to pig-out. And I will not spend too much on food (eg. pay $74/- for 2
pieces of abalone).
Why would I spend on what goes in that will come out eventually?
2. I don't need a new dress.
But if I do get a new outfit, I must take or give away something from my wardrobe.
3. I don't need to specially clean the house for the new year.
Isn't my weekly scrubbing and mopping sufficient?

However, I just need to visit a couple of elderly relatives, and make them feel respected and remembered --- even if it's once a year.
And I just need a couple of days to rest before I get swallowed up by the rest of the year!










link | posted by magnificentmom at 6:03 AM |


2 Comments:

Blogger Val commented at 12:29 AM~  

Hi Magnificent Mom,
I'm just wondering.. I think this fussing is not just cos it's the year of the pig but rather it's a yearly event. Would this wanting to live simply not enable the chinese culture to continue? Also, how about your children? Would they also not bother? This can be contagious and then eventually, when the older folks pass away, this culture may then vanish within the home.. Just a thought..

Blogger magnificentmom commented at 10:55 PM~  

Ooops Val.....you're right! It's contagious!!! My kids look at CNY as a time to see relatives they haven't seen all year, and it's also nice definitely to get 'extra money' in the red packets to buy things they want (not need!). I guess I'm trying to balance the importance of culture, celebration and tradition, with inculcating life's values like 'people first', 'don't splash to impress --- spend within your means', etc. Hope I succeed!

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