My earliest memory of the yuletide holidays are filled with awe and anticipation. I remember as a child during Christmas and new year eves, I was send to take my siesta (afternoon nap) so that I would not fall asleep to miss the festivities at midnight. These are perhaps the exclusive times when kids are allowed, if not required, to stay awake till after midnight.
Looking back, I collected my thoughts on why we have to stay awake particularly on new year’s eve. Aside from the noisy revelry and the bustling activity surrounding the event, which makes it impossible to sleep, the traditions and rituals of ushering the best of luck are the necessary points why we do stay up for the breaking of the years. It is a superstitious belief in our culture that whatever we do during the first hour (or day) of the new year will determine our fate throughout that year. Thus, having considerable cash on your wallet or purse will indicate that you will not run-out of money during the year. Eating 12 grapes or anything round and edible at midnight will assure prosperity. The use of loud and dangerous firecrackers and pyrotechnics are said to ward-off evil spirits. For kids, jumping as high as they can will make them grow much taller. I did that as a kid, yet my height only reached to about 5’1”, short even among the average male Filipino height. Much more unfortunate were the practices we did for good luck but did little to affect our life throughout the year. So much for superstition.
Our existence is bound by time and space. Our experiences are the product of the integration of whatever event that happens at a certain moment at a particular place. As I confine my philosophical gibber at those points, I believe much of what we do at the start of the year indicates our yearning for change. This explains why making new year’s resolutions a common practice. Whether it may be feasible or not, there is a tendency to make one specifically on this occasion since a psychological process is at work. The ‘timeliness’ of change is best equated at the start of the new calendar year. Thus, staying awake to welcome the new year shows that we are willing and ready for change. We stay awake to be more open to possibilities and be aware of opportunities which are impossible if we are ‘asleep’.
Change is an integral factor in our life that is inevitable. We are all subject to it. It is a continuous process. It is timeless. Change is now. Nothing happens when we sleep through the possibilities. Opportunities pass us by when we just lay there at rest. When we are asleep through time, our life is robbed of its meaning and a void is created within us.
Wakefulness, on the other hand, springs forth hope for the future. It prompts us to discover life as it unfolds with all its wonder and surprise. The mere anticipation of what lies ahead keeps one alert and ready to face whatever challenges that may come. In wakefulness we see life more than just existing. We experience meaning and purpose for living.
As we close the first decade of the 21st century, we usher in 2010 fully awake to what is to come. There may be no guarantees yet the unknown is less threatening if we are aware of the choices we have. Change may affect us good or bad, better or worst but it is to us to learn why things happen and whatever purpose it serves us. And when this year ends next year, we will be able to say that we have learned our lessons in life well. Indeed, we were able to learn simply because we were awake.
Have a wakeful existence in 2010 to experience a full life throughout the year. Happy New Year!
Looking back, I collected my thoughts on why we have to stay awake particularly on new year’s eve. Aside from the noisy revelry and the bustling activity surrounding the event, which makes it impossible to sleep, the traditions and rituals of ushering the best of luck are the necessary points why we do stay up for the breaking of the years. It is a superstitious belief in our culture that whatever we do during the first hour (or day) of the new year will determine our fate throughout that year. Thus, having considerable cash on your wallet or purse will indicate that you will not run-out of money during the year. Eating 12 grapes or anything round and edible at midnight will assure prosperity. The use of loud and dangerous firecrackers and pyrotechnics are said to ward-off evil spirits. For kids, jumping as high as they can will make them grow much taller. I did that as a kid, yet my height only reached to about 5’1”, short even among the average male Filipino height. Much more unfortunate were the practices we did for good luck but did little to affect our life throughout the year. So much for superstition.
Our existence is bound by time and space. Our experiences are the product of the integration of whatever event that happens at a certain moment at a particular place. As I confine my philosophical gibber at those points, I believe much of what we do at the start of the year indicates our yearning for change. This explains why making new year’s resolutions a common practice. Whether it may be feasible or not, there is a tendency to make one specifically on this occasion since a psychological process is at work. The ‘timeliness’ of change is best equated at the start of the new calendar year. Thus, staying awake to welcome the new year shows that we are willing and ready for change. We stay awake to be more open to possibilities and be aware of opportunities which are impossible if we are ‘asleep’.
Change is an integral factor in our life that is inevitable. We are all subject to it. It is a continuous process. It is timeless. Change is now. Nothing happens when we sleep through the possibilities. Opportunities pass us by when we just lay there at rest. When we are asleep through time, our life is robbed of its meaning and a void is created within us.
Wakefulness, on the other hand, springs forth hope for the future. It prompts us to discover life as it unfolds with all its wonder and surprise. The mere anticipation of what lies ahead keeps one alert and ready to face whatever challenges that may come. In wakefulness we see life more than just existing. We experience meaning and purpose for living.
As we close the first decade of the 21st century, we usher in 2010 fully awake to what is to come. There may be no guarantees yet the unknown is less threatening if we are aware of the choices we have. Change may affect us good or bad, better or worst but it is to us to learn why things happen and whatever purpose it serves us. And when this year ends next year, we will be able to say that we have learned our lessons in life well. Indeed, we were able to learn simply because we were awake.
Have a wakeful existence in 2010 to experience a full life throughout the year. Happy New Year!
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