Lunar New Year

On the first day of the Year of the Dragon, we bless each other, visit each other, eat good food associated with good fortune, give each other lai see (red packets), …, and, in general, have a good time.  

This being the year of the dragon, we bless each other with auspicious saying such as: “May you be free to cruise the four seas likase the dragon, and dance in the ninth heaven as the phoenix.”  

Throughout the morning, we have been calling our relatives both local and overseas.  We have also been exchanging blessings and wishes with numerous people through social media.  My wife and I wish our three daughters can be here with us, of course.  But we are happy enough that they are pursuing their dreams and we are in touch with them.  

While we are going through the festivities, I can’t help but think that there are many many many people who cannot enjoy the festivities.  Some have lost their freedom for unjust reasons.  Many are in such poverty they cannot really afford the good food and gifts.  Many are in far away places, but some are very near.  Many are living in the middle of wars, being harmed and killed as we talk.  What about them?  Don’t they have a right to enjoy and celebrate as we do?  I cannot be fully happy when fellow human beings are suffering.  Particularly if the cause of their suffering are prejudice, greed, bigotry, and hatred.  Especially when their suffering can be removed, at least alleviated, through compassion from fellow human beings. 

Hence, in addition to all the auspicious wishes, I am adding two: Justice from above, and compassion among fellow humans.