Today Is The Winter Solstice

 

 

For Chinese people all over the world today is the most important celebration of the year - 冬至 the Winter’s Solstice. It is the day of the calendar in the Northern Hemisphere when the day is the shortest and the earth experiences its coldest temperatures. Tradition has it that if we have come this far in the year then better days will start soon the day after. 

Tonight is the time to leave sad memories, toxic relationship and bad habits behind and start afresh and anew. Give thanks to people who have helped you come this far. Throw away bad thoughts and make room for new ideas, people and resolutions. Wishing you a Happy Beginning with your family and friends.

My Comments :

From my own experience you cannot appreciate the beautiful warm weather that we have unless you have lived through snow and ice. I lived through five winters in the American midwest. Knee deep snowdrifts,  minus 10 degrees Celsius for a week was normal. With wind-chill it would drop another 5 degrees. At 0 degrees (freezing point) sweaters and pullovers would be enough. For almost seven months in a year there is no real sun. Just a gray.

When I first returned home to Malaysia I got into my shorts and stretched out in the sun from morning till evening.  A full day sunbathing in our Malaysian sun. My mother in law thought I had gone crazy. 

 Snow and ice : my son in the Bavarian Alps three days ago.

 

You will not know how fortunate we are to have our wonderful sun 365 days a year until you are deprived of the sun's warmth. 

That is why the Mat Sallehs sailed all the way across the ocean and colonised all the countries with the best sunlight and the best beaches (they go together).  

Lets appreciate what we have. Our climate, our environment, our trees, jungles, rivers, the animals. Most of all lets appreciate our fellow human beings. Remember folks : People First. That means you. And me. 

So everyday is a gift. The gift of a new beginning. Best foot forward.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.