New Year, New Beginning
So it is the new year. Where I come from in Japan, the new year has many traditions and customs that I still hold close to my heart to this day. One custom I have a hard time letting go is the cleaning to be ready for the new year. In my household, the last few days in the year were spent cleaning and getting the house ready for new year with new year decorations let alone preparing the special food for the new year. I’ve tried to keep up with this tradition of cleaning for many years, but I found that it gets to be rather stressful trying to get everything perfectly in order. I’ve learned to accept imperfection in this department while I do my best to be at least tidy and clean when January 1 comes.
On New Year’s Eve, many people would go to Buddhist temples to listen to the mid-night bells, which they ring 108 times signifying of letting go of 108 desires. We then eat buckwheat noodle to wish for longevity. Some people would go to either to an eastern facing beach or mountain top to watch the first sunrise of the year. Then thousands of people would flock to the Shinto Shrine to get the new year’s blessings. Of course, the New Year’s feast that we eat for 3 days is the main event of Japanese new year celebration. I’m actually sad that I didn’t get to be there again for the New Year’s this time.
Upon the new year’s arrival, we get to begin again with our renewed hopes and wishes. The other “superstitions” I think about a lot is that whatever we do on the New Year’s Day sort of sets the tone for the rest of the year. I notice it can be a bit problematic for me as I sometimes tend to try to control this day too much so I can make sure I’m setting the right tone. I’m letting go of this need as well today while I did spend the day contemplating on my intentions and goals for 2020.
2020! Wow! A new decade! It’s a big year. There’s Olympic/Paralympic in Tokyo in the summer, and the Presidential Election in November. But the biggest thing to happen this year is for me to turn… SIXTY! 😳 A new decade of my life. It’s actually shocking! I figure I would just tell you right now because I need the next seven months to get used to the idea. I have quite a few goals and dreams I am pursuing at this stage in my life, and hoping the best is yet to come. I am so grateful that I have so many people I get to share this life journey with! Let’s make it a blessed year!