observing how the chinese are so obsessed over the lunar new year gave me some food for thought. it's probably some inherent clock chinese all over the world have that rings crazily during the new year season then finally shuts up and winds itself up for the next year. or else how do you explain the way even people like me who aren't really into festivals understand the importance of the occasion and even feel the excitement.
perhaps it originated from the time when mortality rate was super high and surviving the winter meant a lot to our ancestors. i could understand that relief and exhilaration at being alive to see the snow melt and flowers bloom. then perhaps as society became more developed it became more of a social thing. like the entire family from all over the country comes home for dinner together (even now i think that's the most important part of the festival), married women got the chance to visit their parents, girls got to go out to socialise and meet the guy of their dreams etc. pretty significant event if you ask me.
as for me, i simply want to enjoy the new year preparations and celebrations with my family. they say you throw out the old and bad and bring in the new and good during the new year. i want to throw away the me that takes my family, friends, my life and all that i have forgranted and bring in the new me which appreciates and loves more.