Chúc mừng năm mới! — Happy Lunar New Year!

Since 2017, I have been celebrating in some form the lunar new year, some may know it as Chinese New Years, however many Asian cultures celebrate the lunar new year, the title of this post is in Vietnamese. When I first got invited it was by my friend Andrew, I was going through a really (and I mean really, really) rough patch in my life, (I mean when am I not lol). It was a time that was dark for me emotionally and there was a lot of uncertainty in my life, which can make any human freak the F*** out. However I made it a point to let my friends know that I was going through a low, and I was invited to his family’s home to celebrate and partake in the Lunar New Years celebrations. Speaking for myself and my experience here. Lunar new year is one of my favorite celebrations there are vibrant colors amazing food; along with hopes, wishes, and prayers for good luck and good fortune in the new year. Each year is dedicated to an animal of a zodiac, I was born year of the goat (greatest of all the time, lol that was a bad millennial joke). This coming year is year of the rat. I asked my friend if I could go to temple again, and be part of the celebration as I was feeling pretty stressed from the week (honestly, month).

We start off the night with dinner as a whole group, feeling like family. Then we play a New Years game what you place bets on symbols. We played with quarters and for some reason got up to whole dollar bills, lol. Good thing was I got my laundry money from that night! Some of us lost but the real winnings was the camaraderie and laughter that filled the room. After, we head to temple around eleven to midnight. I grab some incense and light them, going to each statue to pray (wish and hope) for good fortune and great health for my family, friends, loved ones, and myself. Then placing one lit incense at each statue. Afterwards, I step into the main part of the temple and play a ‘game’ with these half moon shaped wooden pieces where where I let them fall; one needs to land face up and the other face down before moving on the next part. Next, I kneel before an ornate alter And shake a canister made of wood with wooden sticks inside while my eyes are closed. Shaking with all my hopes and wishes (prayers) for a good fortune. I keep shaking until the first stick falls out. I look at the number take the corresponding fortune printed on paper that matches the number. I let my friends dad read it because I can’t read Vietnamese and he says that I will have good fortune this year, and do I freaking hope so!

I have learned a lot about myself in the last decade and lunar new year this year has felt like a more appropriate time to reflect on this decade.  In this last year leading up to the end of a decade I became more honest with myself. Starting to love parts of myself that I didn’t think were possible. This is in part due to the relationships that I am maintaining and forming. Knowing which ones serve me the best and reciprocate in the most organic way what I hope I am giving as well. In forms of respect, love, and friendship (this is getting a little gushy lol). Of course along with this I have become more cautious, and at times it’s hindering of my actions and makes my thoughts go wild. Either with age or just increased worries, some days are harder than others. But I’m getting through them with help. And this year I’m starting with honesty and hope.

I am not particularly part of any sect of spirituality or religion, but I was raised with some catholic influences from my mom’s side. And I do believe that having a sense of spirituality is beneficial for a person to navigate this, at times, too material world. Some forms of prayer is akin to practices of meditation & mindfulness, I may be over extending here but I don’t want this post get theoretical or theological, so I will leave this point as it is. Also, I hope this also doesn’t come off as cultural appropriation because I humbly partake in this celebration and tradition with my friends and their family.