Embracing Lunar New Year with an Animo+ Attitude

Lunar New Year – The Snake and Evolution

 
To all our neighbors, friends, colleagues, clients, and students celebrating Lunar New Year around the world. Animo+ would like to wish you luck and good tidings for the coming year. This year the excitement in my neighborhood around Perth can be felt in the shops and streets. As a snake sheds its skin to grow we often need to make use of this comparison in our own lives. Animo+ is curious to find out what habits, attitudes or environments you have out grown and need to shed?

“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity…The infamous statement “two Wong’s don’t make a white’ by Arthur Calwell in 1947 as he defended his strict immigration policies for Australia may be signified only in time by the appointment of Penny Wong as the current Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs. It is hard to imagine that they are both members of the same political party. The White Australia policy was abolished fully in 1973 and changes in attitudes and perspectives have been felt since then. This is a good opportunity to reflect on progression and growth.

Lunar new year is celebrated in many other parts of the world other than Asia where there are Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean diaspora. Last year in Kula Lumpur was my first time being introduced and included in the celebrations. A friend gave me a hongboa (red envelope) with money inside as I shared lunch with his wife and friend. I was delighted, until I learned this is not a compliment in many families, as only children and singletons receive the red envelope. Once you get a partner the envelopes and comments from elders cease. An acknowledgment of being single and a friendly reminder to get your act together. I got to learn about and celebrate a festival that up until then was signified by kumquat trees being driven all over Northern Vietnam. I witnessed the Singaporean peoples who visited the temples.

For those like the author who are ignorant about the significance of the festival here are some aspects that Animo+ would most like to highlight.

The festival is also known as the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, and it signifies rich traditions and cultural significance for billions around Asia. At Animo+, we see this festive season as a wonderful opportunity to learn, grow, and connect across different cultures and communities due to the hospitality and kindness I was show last year. A simple act of kindness encouraged me to explore the various ways Lunar New Year presents unique opportunities for personal and collective enrichment.

The vibrant traditions and symbols are a reminder on the importance of luck in all things you do. The harder one works the luckier they often become but you also require patience and trust in your community. This has contributed to the success of China towns and commerce being so strong in all areas of the world who celebrate the festival. Most clothing garments, objects in your home, work place and many of the products bought are produced by someone you will never meet who celebrates this festival.
Lunar New Year is steeped in customs and rituals that have been passed down through generations. From the iconic red lanterns and firecrackers to the intricate lion dances and delicious feasts, each element carries deep meaning no different to celebrations and traditions held at Christmas and other culturally significant festivals. For example, red is considered an auspicious color symbolizing good fortune and joy, while firecrackers are believed to ward off evil spirits no different to Halloween. It is great to look for similarities in a world that tends to highlight our differences.

Storytelling and Family Bonds also remind us of the importance of listening. One of the most heartwarming aspects of Lunar New Year is the emphasis on family reunions and storytelling. Families gather to share meals, exchange red envelopes as mentioned, filled with money, and recount tales from the past year. This tradition not only strengthens family bonds but also offers a chance to pass down cultural heritage and values to younger generations. Imagine sitting around a table laden with delicacies, listening to stories from elders about their experiences and how they navigated life’s challenges—each story a lesson in Mental Toughness and wisdom. It highlights a respect that needs to return to many of the younger generations to keep communities strong. There are no such things as retirement villages or ‘old folks’ homes’ in Asia. People work until they cannot anymore and you listen and respect these people who have given you life by supporting them when they can no longer provide. Many people have lost this veneration for the ancestors and people among us in our communities and society. This is something worth reflecting on.
Learning Opportunities and Cultural Exchange from a young age can influence ones attitude and reduce fear of things that are different.

For those new to Lunar New Year, this festive period is an excellent opportunity to learn about and appreciate different cultures and reflect on things that you can introduce to your life.

Let me know what you think.