Chinese New Day

For the Chinese, celebrating the Chinese New Year is a tradition passed down from our ancestors. Over the years, this expression of celebration remains somewhat the same. Shops still beckon to those in need of new clothes for the New Year. Giving and receiving of 'ang baos' still continues. Even superstitions like avoiding sweeping on the first day of the New Year are hard to break. But the spirit behind the celebration, unfortunately, has long been altered.


Boss recalls how he used to look forward to the festive season the moment familiar Chinese New Year tunes began playing. It was a great chance to break away from homework and just indulge in play. He noticed that festive periods are a time of fun and laughter. But as soon as the season is over, life returned to everyday normalcy.

As he grew older and wiser, he came to understand what true celebration is all about. He also discovered the kind of spirit he should have towards the tradition.

Boss believes in authenticity. Anyone who knows him well knows how much he detests patronising people and events. When he shows up at a wedding or even a funeral, he goes with the right spirit and intention- to bless. He does not go so as to look charismatic or be politically right.

Every daily domestic affair is also a habit of authenticity. That is why, when he gives a word of encouragement or a compliment, we know he means it from the bottom of his heart. He does nothing mindlessly, as part of the herd, to gain acceptance. In being real, he goes to great lengths to pursue compassion, integrity, respect, wisdom and loyalty. It is the same with what he does and advises us to do in business. Such decisions are made from sound strategies and ideas that deliver professional service to clients.
 The attitude he has may sound revolutionary to many. But to Boss, it is but how a normal human being should behave. He does not practice social norms for the sake of carrying on tradition. As such, he cannot comprehend why anyone could get hyped up without really knowing why. Is it just because everyone else is doing so, or simply because it is the highlight of the month?
 Like the majority, he too, enjoys a stroll down Chinatown. He too, dresses himself in new clothes. And definitely, he visits his family and relatives, just like everyone else.


What is different however, is his appreciative spirit towards the event. This appreciation is rooted far deeper than most and stems from a real appreciation of life itself. To him, visiting loved ones during the festive season is but another opportunity for him to show respect and care. It is an opportunity for him to nurture the lives of others - something he does on a daily or weekly basis anyway.

He does not get drawn into the hype created by a clever marketing department. After the event is over, he doesn't look forward to the next big event to indulge or distract him from responsibility. Neither does he give up on tradition or hold a disinterested contempt for it. He treasures both life and time-honoured traditions dearly. But he does so purposefully and for the right reasons.


Everyday without fail, he dedicates time to ponder deep into his life and his daily actions. The weight of taking care of his family, his friends and JNP clients does not allow him the luxury to be idle even for a moment. Even his time for exercise or rest is carefully set aside so he can push himself further in the service of others. Constantly, he refines his thoughts and ways of doing things, to stretch himself further and further. His overriding purpose is to ensure the people under his wings are well taken care of.


This may sound torturous to many, and he has received such comments more than once. They tell him to enjoy life with the millions he has made. But to him, nurturing relationships is enjoying life. Any moments he spends with his loved ones, or even by himself thinking of ways to help them, IS celebrating life. He simply derives immense joy when he serves. Though he partakes in them, Boss knows festivals and holidays are unnecessary to make his life any more enjoyable.


To get the best out of life, Boss' philosophy is simple: It is an honor to serve others and count your blessings daily. This is the meaty main dish of life, the staples as he calls it. Any festivals or holidays simply top off or garnish what is already there. We should partake in holidays and festivals and ride on the exuberance of the festive mood. But we should never to rely on such events to keep our spirits buoyant throughout the year. When we learn to serve others daily, and count our blessings daily, every other moment spent with our loved ones becomes something to celebrate about.


This New Year is surely not our first. But perhaps we should approach this tradition with a brand new attitude: not to look forward to the next New Year, but rather, a New Day, Everyday!