Gung Hay Fat Choy

peace.jpg
Posted by Catherine Stifter  January 27, 2009

Peace and safety to you.Ni Hau! (Hello!)

As I bowed in my Qi Gung class to Monday's practice session, one of my students wished us all "Gung Hay Fat Choy," Cantonese for May prosperity be with you!

The Western year 2009 in the Chinese calendar is the year 4707. Just think about that for a second -- Chinese culture is 4 thousand years old and counting. Talk about perspective!

As I led my class in Tai Chi practice, we meditated about making peace in the world, and finding ways to begin again to connect all people to healthy living practices through the enormous changes we are experiencing today.

I want to send out my wish for peace in this Spring Festival time, a time of renewal everywhere on Earth. No matter where your home or what your heritage, the Earth renews itself in Spring. We humans can find inspiration in these natural cycles, too.

To prepare for the New Year, Chinese clean their houses, repay any money they owe, get their hair cut, and buy new clothes. They decorate their houses with signs that wish peace and luck for the coming year. Try it yourself!

In Mandarin I wish you all--Xin Nian Kuai Le!

Tags: Lunar New Year, Year of the Ox
Topics: Civic Life, Events, History



Comments

Happy New Year!

Submitted by Michael Ong on January 30, 2009 - 2:26pm.

Thanks for the New Year wishes, and sun nien fai lok as well (the literal Happy New Year! - gung hay fat choy is "may you be prosperous" which is also equally synoymous with the Lunar New Year and especially aproppriate during these times).

 

We look forward to reconnecting with everyone at the New Routes meeting in March, and even though our days will be packed, perhaps we can sneak off for some dim sum. :) 

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Thanks Michael!

Submitted by Catherine Stifter on January 31, 2009 - 6:43pm.
Dim sum, now there's a great idea! Although I believe that Mexican food is on the menu for the conference. It's always good to mix it up. Catherine Stifter Media & Technology Co-Director
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And may peace be with us all.

Submitted by Gale Petersen on January 28, 2009 - 4:09pm.
Thank you for your New Year's wishes. I was struck by your referring to this celebration as a spring festival because I am looking out my window at snow-covered streets. I do, however, feel a sliver of optimism as I observe the days lengthening and heard this morning the cardinals and chickadees chirp to greet the sun.

May this new year bring us -- immigrant and non-immigrant, alike -- a more fair and healthy atmosphere across the United States, with all of us sharing in the opportunities and hardships this country now has.

Gale Petersen
Media and Technology Co-Director
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