Fire Rooster - 2017

The Year of the Fire Rooster – 2017Gong Hey Fat Choy! Happy New Year!

January 28, 2017 is the first day of the Year of the Fire Rooster.

People born in 1957 or 2017 are Fire Roosters and are considered trustworthy, with a strong sense of timeliness and responsibility at work. Besides being loyal they are talkative and popular in a crowd. Lucky numbers are 5, 7 and 8. Lucky colors are gold, brown and yellow. Please avoid red and be wary of 1, 3 and 9.

How will this year play out? Conflicts and plenty of debate can be expected during the year of the Rooster. The cocky presence and fearless action will bring about change, whether it is needed or wanted by the masses.

The Rooster is often compared to a ‘Don Quixote’ – ready to take on any challenge that presents itself with a notable strut of confidence and a progressive attitude that is impossible to beat.

This year is perfect for those who wish to put effort into reaching the ultimate levels in health – mental, physical and financial, but not so well for those who favor being lazy. Living the life of a couch potato may have disastrous results.

This will not be a year of hand-holding, but rather more like finger pointing and judging. This is especially true for those who haven’t lived up to expectations or promises made.

If you lack discipline, you will be criticized and left behind, but if you strive for perfection and accomplishment, then all is possible.

In the bigger picture, loyalty and a wiliness to work in concord with the majority will help the outcome of a year of posturing. It will take strong savvy leadership to navigate through the challenges that face the world physically and financially.

In other words, showing excellence and integrity along with compassion and logic will be the best course during this year’s muddled moments. Hopefully, this will help prevent hasty reactions based on assumptions instead of facts.

I am hoping to see relationships strengthened globally with countries united in striving for freedom and peace on earth as well as making smart environmental decisions.

Remember, that taking daily moments in meditation has a humongous ripple effect for the positive. Please join me in the spirit of meditation.

Please join me Monday mornings and Wednesday nights. See calendar page for the dates. www.MeditationFromTheHeart.com

Spiritual Cramming

Spiritual Cramming

I’ve found myself – as I do periodically – with the feeling that I have some ‘free time’ on my hands. With that feeling, faithfully comes the itch to fill it right on up. Yes, folks I definitely scratched that itch.

This time I’ve gone for the spiritual gusto. My regular Sum Faht Meditation practice is firmly in place and inside of that practice I occasionally use a timing device (app) called the Insight Timer. This app is connected to other users. It is quite a delight to know that during my Wednesday evening classes there are usually another 3,500 people meditating across the world at the same time we are.

I decided to join a 12 week course called the Practice of Direct Awakening lead by Craig

Hamilton. Awakening is beyond the mind. One of the fun things he challenged our group with an exercise of sitting for 15 seconds and simply let everything be as it is. Success! Now do it for 30 seconds. No matter where your mind goes let it be and have no judgement. How about you try this too!  And when you are done, add a few more minutes of meditation. (Simple – Right!?) Be easy with it. Be who you really are right now.

Meanwhile, I have also joined an 8 week women’s group which

involves creating and singing beautiful heartfelt songs about life, love and feminine mysteries. Plus we are delving into our direct lineage and honoring all of the women who without whom we would not exist. This intention is also a powerful healing around being a woman in this world.

There is a gentleman, David Nicol, who is making a huge effort to join and educate people about the phenomena of Group Subtle Fields. I am listening in periodically to these talks. Even if you are not in the same room together you can actively connect/feel the energy a group.

The Book of Joy – an – audio book with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu – narrated by the husband, Doug, of my friend and medical doctor, Dr. Rachel Abrams, is currently escorting me during my drives to the various places life takes me. It is a personal goal of mine to be as happy as possible all day long. I am learning about the spiritual depths of joy versus the state of being happy from listening to these amazing spiritual leaders. I highly recommend enjoying your own copy of this fabulous book. One key component is the mental aspect of having a good attitude with compassion and generosity toward yourself and other human beings.

I’m laughing right now because I’m remembering that during all these years of meditating  (29) my Teacher has encouraged most people to not read books on spirituality because any questions you may have you can find the answer to by going within. You need only to sit in meditation. This advice really has worked for me. I am, however, reading a book right now called The Diamond Cutter – The Buddha On Managing Your Business and Your Life. This book has not only been entertaining, but has given me some sweet insights on the art of detachment. And a gentle reminder about how every moment contains the flow for infinite possibilities.

Lastly, I am giving a heartfelt plug for the book Cultivating Compassion – Simple Every Day Practices For Discovering Peace of Mind and Resilience. Why? Because I am proud of my little sister, Amy Pattee Colvin, who authored this book. Within its pages you will find help day by day for 66 days to develop a personal practice – discovering more about yourself with a compassionate heart.  

Of course all of this spiritual cramming is on top of my regular day to day life of running Water Star Motors, home and self-maintenance. I love my life!  

Please join me Monday mornings and Wednesday nights. Or, if you prefer, book a private session. See calendar page for the dates. www.MeditationFromTheHeart.com

Ode to Dante the Cat

Ode to Dante

Dante plays with Mandy

We found Dante at the Santa Cruz Animal Shelter in March 1997. We took the kids with us to pick out a cat for their Easter gift that year. I was told years later that I may have influenced the children's decision as to which cat to pick.

Dante's description said he was only 1 year old, but the vet seemed to think he was at least 2 or 3 years old at the time. If Dante was two when we got him then he lived a wonderful cat life to the ripe old age of 19. (93 in human years.)

We got to watch Dante transform from a nervous cat who licked the back of his legs so much there was no fur down the center of each back leg (like a dancer's hosiery) to a beautiful strong, calm presence. 

His greatest love was Faith who died three years ago. He was also fond of Summer Fun and Mandy.

Dante on the prowl

Dante was diligent at keeping watch over our home. He took his job as protector very seriously. He would often meet intruders head first though he was never more than ten pounds.

Meditating Cat

 Dante attended many meditation classes with us over the years. He would gently head butt each person's hand for some loving or to give the person encouragement. Many times he would sit and meditate with us for the entire class. He was most excellent at finding his center - tan tien .He also loved greeting the students as they came and left. Dante was the main inspiration behind Henry and I creating a magnificent indoor cat tree.

Dante test drives the tree

Two nights before his passing, Dante spent sleeping on top of either myself, Henry or between the two of us. The evening before he left we had hours with him sitting on our laps.

on his last day on earth Dante chose a sunny, warm place in our garden to rest his weary bones. He laid there from some time before lunch, we covered him with a blanket after dinner. He expired with the setting sun. Always the romantic.

We are dedicating our labyrinth we created Sunday, September first to Dante.

RIP under artichoke

From this day forward it will be known as Dante's Labyrinth. After we buried him in our garden our son, Dan, Henry and I lit some incense, offered our prayers and did a walking meditation through Dante's Labyrinth. It felt so sacred and beautiful. At one point the labyrinth brought the three of us together. I cannot wait to have my meditation students and friends walk this labyrinth with me.

We love you Dante and will miss you greatly. Thanks for being ever diligent and loving. Thank you for greeting us every day after work. Watching over us when we were ill. You have blessed us with your gentlest meow and have enriched our lives in more ways than I know. Our grandchildren will always remember you too. Your life was truly a meditation from the heart.

Please join me Monday mornings and Wednesday nights. See calendar page for the dates. www.MeditationFromTheHeart.com

Reflections of a Meditation Retreat

A couple weeks ago I had the good fortune to attend a week-long meditation retreat at Buckhorn Springs (Ashland, OR) with my meditation teacher of 27 years.

Out of the 26 folks who attended 9 states and two countries were represented.

A retreat is a perfect way to remove ourselves from our daily grind and connect more deeply with our spiritual nature. The end results are being well rested, revitalized and chock full of new insights and vigor. Often the wholeness human beings are searching for can be fulfilled from within. Especially if one takes time to retreat from daily routines and stresses.

Getting ready for another round of meditation

Sometimes I like to look at the statistics of a thing. We started with an evening meditation on a Friday and ended with a morning meditation the following Friday. In between we enjoyed 47 hours of meditation, learning, laughter and exercise. As well as 25 yummy meals that were lovingly prepared for us.  We also had an after party which included a silent auction where we raised $1600 for our scholarship program. During our free time there was several acres of beautiful land to explore, more meditation to be had, helping others with healing, sharing life experiences and the exploring of the beautiful town of Ashland.

I am always stuck by how magnificent the night sky is when we are removed from the city lights. The milky way is rich with stars. I am so lucky to experience such breath-taking beauty. It was quite fun to name all the constellations we remembered from our schooling.

A typical day would start with an hour of meditation from 7-8am. We rise from our sleepy state and walk in silence to the meditation hall and quietly sit and meditate. Breakfast is served. As you can imagine, sitting for long periods can be tiring. So to help us with that we had a daily exercise period from 9-10am. During which we'd stretch, do chi kung, tai chi and other breathing/moving exercises. From 10-Noon we'd have a session with the Teacher. Lunch is served. Free time til the 2:00-3:30 session with Leong - often outside - learning more about nature. Free time til dinner was served. 7-9pm evening session with the Teacher. Sleep and repeat.

I have to say that this retreat was golden with laughter. And there was so much harmony and great connections between all the participants. Lovely!

The main thing that is up for me at this time is Patience. Patience with family and with my meditation business.

Patience is one of the seven challenges to being a good human being. Spiritual growth is a natural process and it cannot be rushed.

Time is our gift. We have time.

Headache Relief

Meditation from the Heart's Quick Tip for Relief from a Headache

Does your head ever feel like this?

Many years ago I learned this easy and effective way to help others to get rid of their headache. It is a technique from Polarity Therapy. A person does not need years of meditation cultivation; it simply works every time. Even a child can do it.

Human beings are chock full of positive and negative electrons. At times they seem to gather in an over abundance in one's head - causing a headache.

For ease of description, Person A - is the one with the headache. Person B - is the one who is helping to lessen the headache via this polarity technique. 

Polarize a Headache

Have person A sit comfortably in a chair. Remove any hat or glasses.
Person B (standing) rubs their palms together briskly for a few seconds. Approach the left side of person A. Ask them to close their eyes and breathe deeply. Their breaths should be audible.

Person B places their right palm lightly against the base of 'A's' neck and the left palm about an inch away from 'A's' forehead.

Hold this position for a minute or two while person A is taking deep breaths. 

When done person B should flick their fingers a few times and or run their hands under cool water.

This simple technique helps to re-align the positive and negative electrons and moves the painful stagnant energy out of the head.

Gratitude Offers Abundant Living

I love this acronym: G.O.A.L. 

   Gratitude 

Offers 

     Abundant 

Living

When times are tough it is good to get back to the basics by reminding yourself of the many things you have in your life for which to be grateful.

Do not take life for granted. If you look at your life you will see that you really do have all that you need. Appreciate the little things in life. And know it is the little things that you do for others that people appreciate most.

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough. It turns denia into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity. It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates vision for tomorrow." - Melody Beattie

Blessings: If they are not appreciated then they are not blessings. You are a blessing.

Do not take life for granted. Focus on the joy of life right here, now! For example; “Mmm this is a great cup of tea/coffee. J”

Don't Worry Be Happy!

Happiness is a state of being.

Being happy does not mean you need to deny everything else. 

Do things that make you happy and agree with yourself.

Don’t Worry, Be Happy!

If you think about it you will know that there is nothing outside of ourselves that has the power to make us happy.

For example: If I think, “That cup of coffee over there will make me happy.” And I go over and get it, I may find that I am feeling happy for a while, but then I get bored with it (and the cup is soon empty). 
Now, I think, “Getting a new pair of shoes (like so and so is wearing) would make me happy.” Poof! I have new shoes. After a while I find the ‘external happiness’ fades. I get bored again.

This is temporary happiness only. Permanent happiness comes from within and goes with me where ever I go. So, if you catch yourself saying, “I will really be happy when…” Perhaps stop yourself and say, “I am truly happy now.”

Love and Happiness in LA

Meditation in LA

My husband, youngest son and I had the opportunity to see our meditation teacher in Los Angeles over the
Valentine's weekend. Love and Happiness were two of the main topics.

During a weekend workshop we participate with 10 hours of being with the Teacher. This is spread over Friday evening, Saturday morning and afternoon and Sunday morning.
We do not meditate 10 hours straight. Our time is interspersed with meditation, pearls of wisdom, other teachings and healing work. I have gathered for you many of the pearls that relate to the theme of love and happiness.

It is good to love - cultivate it. One of my initial challenging lessons from my first days of meditation was to understand how important it is to love yourself first and to love yourself from within. My upbringing was to do everything for others first and if I had the time, then do for me. It actually works much better the other way around.

Not feeling well? The expression is, "Feeling under the weather." How about changing that to, "Feeling over the weather or above the weather," when you are healthy again.

The Teacher was talking to one of the gentlemen at the workshop about needing both money and love. "Which one is more important?" When one is in the initial stage of love then the world is an absolutely wonderful place to be. You can breathe in lightness and air - live off love alone. It is so fulfilling and delightful.

Are you happy when you are on vacation? Why not take that happiness feeling and apply to your work when you get back home? Be happy at work like you are on vacation.

Strangely enough, looking at oneself does not always spark happiness within because human beings have a  habit of self-criticism. Be happy with yourself...one little thing at a time. What we have should make us happy. We must cultivate love to give happiness easily.

It is not easy to surrender. Who to? Surrender to yourself...the big SELF, i.e. the higher self that resides within. That kind of surrender allows your spirit to guide you to find your happiness. Just accept yourself. Your friends do!!!

Fun in Alaska

Wake up knowing, "This is a nice morning." Say out loud or inwardly, "This is a nice morning!" with your very first step out the door. Take fun with you wherever you go. Life is beautiful. It is a gift. Enjoy it!

"Life is like a meatball." Solid, but requires mixing all the ingredients including the spices to make it fun. Make sure your self-talk is full of positives. "I can do this." "I'm feeling good."

You don't have to go looking for love. It will be there. Accept all things with love. Love yourself to mend broken relations.

Last Two of the Six Common Meditation Mistakes

Previously, we have looked at four of  the six most common meditation mistakes. (#1: I'm trying to quiet my mind. #2: I'm just trying to feel peaceful and open during my meditations. #3: "I've been doing the same practice for months or years." #4: "I'm trying to reach enlightenment or a permanent state of bliss.")

 If you have tried meditation and have become frustrated either with maintaining your practice or with a lack of results, do not feel alone. At times, even the most ardent practitioner can be derailed by these snafus.  

Many faults are rooted in typical, fundamental, misunderstandings about what the purpose of meditation is. These can derail any human being despite the best of intentions. The good news is, the meditations taught by Meditation from the Heart and the way they are presented, side-step the common errors entirely, giving you a far more reliable and enduring experience.

As we reveal more common meditation mistakes see if you recognize your own meditation ‘block(s)’.

Meditation Mistake #5: "I use my meditation as an escape from the challenges of life." Some

I'm sure it will be better over there

people may use meditation as a refuge or 'spiritual bypass'. Escaping into meditation to avoid facing or dealing with uncomfortable feelings or issues. This approach does not lead to good results. Rather such avoidance could lead to less, not more, ease and ability to deal with life issues.

Meditation is more about being fully present with everything that is - including discomfort and challenges. If there were no tough challenges in life then our life would become boring. And we would naturally create a situation that provides difficulties for our-self just to shake things up a bit.

Your meditation practice can empower and strengthen you to face truth and reality without hiding. Most of us are human beings who live and work in the world and have not chosen the monastic lifestyle. Please don't use that as an excuse to wait to have a meditation practice until 'the time is right.'

Also, ask yourself, "When or where are you happy?" Is it on vacation? Do you lose that happiness when you come back home and to work? Then treat your work as though you are on vacation. Be happy at work.

Meditation Mistake #6: "I hop from one spiritual teacher to the next trying to find the one who will make me feel the best and fulfill my desires." "Danger Will Robinson!" No one can make you feel anything or fulfill your desires. Only you can do these things for yourself. It is easy to show powerful and wonderful mystical experiences. It is much harder to work at a gentle pace to build a strong foundation which builds a harmonious and contented life. 

Don't be a cyber-bot

Please, do not give your power away to anyone. You and the innate spirit that resides within are perfectly capable of leading you to live a fulfilled life. Let your teachers gently remind and nudge you in the direction that is right for you.

More than anything, realize that we live in an age of fast information, where we can look up something that is puzzling us, read about it and decide if it is helpful or not. The key here is one, not to forget to take the time away from technology to just be with yourself. And two, to remember to move at the pace of a human being - not a cyber-bot.

Two More of the Six Common Meditation Mistakes

Previously, we have looked at two of  the six most common meditation mistakes. (#1: I'm trying to quiet my mind. #2: I'm just trying to feel peaceful and open during my meditations.) If you have tried meditation and have become frustrated either with maintaining your practice or with a lack of results, do not feel alone. At times, even the most ardent practitioner can be derailed by these snafus.  

Many faults are rooted in typical, fundamental, misunderstandings about what the purpose of meditation is. These can derail any human being despite the best of intentions. The good news is, the meditations taught by Meditation from the Heart and the way they are presented, side-step the common errors entirely, giving you a far more reliable and enduring experience.

As we reveal more common meditation mistakes see if you recognize your own meditation ‘block(s)’.

Personal Plateau

Meditation Mistake #3 - "I've been doing the same practice for months or years." First, let's remember that there is no wrong way to meditate. Experienced meditators can hit plateaus. Rote repetition of a single approach can drive you into a 'meditation rut', where your practice has lost some vitality and dynamics you have experienced before. 

If you have been meditating for years (or seems like ages) but aren't sure why you are doing it any more, Can't think of any benefits you are deriving, dread the practice or simply treat it like a habit you are forcing yourself to maintain, then this is probably your issue.

Just like an exercise program you have for your body can get stale - you need to shake it up every once and a while. Introduce some new challenges to stretch yourself. For example go to a group meditation practice, sign yourself up for a retreat or schedule yourself for an all day meditation at your own home or favorite place (not recommended for beginners).

Meditation from the Heart teaches a variety of approaches that inspires you to use your awareness in different ways. Effectively giving you tools that will 'cross-train' your body, mind and spirit. Thus lowering your chances of getting stuck in a rut. Rather, helping your meditation practice to become an ongoing journey of deepening awareness and curiosity. 

Enlightenment

Meditation Mistake #4 - "I'm trying to reach enlightenment or a permanent state of bliss." Don't worry, there are many mini enlightenment's along the way, however, you will still be learning until the day you die. Achieving a specific dramatic state of being or having flashy 'spiritual fireworks' is not the point of meditative cultivation.

If one tries to hold on to or continually go back to an incredible or 'favorite' experience you've had then not only are you actively engaging your mind, but you are also, in essence, holding on to the past and effectively closing yourself off to potentially more magnificent and uplifting experiences.

All states of being have a natural ebb and flow. Let your meditation practice lead you to a great many experiences with balance and liberation from the past. 

Two of the Six Common Meditation Mistakes

For those of you who already have a solid meditation practice – my hats off to you. Yea, yippee! Meditation is one of my favorite things to do. But if you do not have meditation in your life do not worry, it is never too late to begin.

Let’s take a step back here and look at the six most common meditation mistakes. If you have tried meditation and have become frustrated either with maintaining your practice or with a lack of results, do not feel alone. At times, even the most ardent practitioner can be derailed by these snafus.  

Many faults are rooted in typical, fundamental, misunderstandings about what the purpose of meditation is. These can derail any human being despite the best of intentions. The good news is, the meditations taught by Meditation from the Heart and the way they are presented side-step the common errors entirely, giving you a far more reliable and enduring experience.

Even better, the supportive nature of Meditation from the Heart provided in these classes offer in-depth insights on each of the mistakes below, and builds a foundation that will uplift your practice into a realm far beyond these diversions.

As we reveal the following meditation mistakes see if you recognize your own meditation ‘block’.

Meditation Mistake #1 – “I’m trying to quiet my mind.” Many people have been taught that meditation is about having a still mind. This may be the most common assumption about meditation. Untold numbers have conceded “failure” or “not being good at meditation” because they were not able to quiet their mind.

We may have moments of complete stillness within a meditation, but it is not the ultimate goal. Through stillness comes movement. From movement comes stillness.

Your mind is an integral part of your being. You need your mind to help you interpret what is going on in your heart. The trick with meditation is to learn how to simply notice when your mind is drawing you away from your center, acknowledge it, let it go and bring yourself back to your meditation. Sort of like letting the mental music drift in one ear and out the other. 

Mental Music

Meditation Mistake #2 – “I’m just trying to feel peaceful and open during my meditations.” Peace and relaxation are often promoted mistakenly as the primary purpose of meditation. Of course, meditation can produce positive, relaxed sensations, as well as many other related benefits. It won’t always, however, do that. Nothing ever always can do that. Yet many people end up believing they have ‘failed’ at meditation if they don’t feel calm, peaceful and good every time they sit to meditate.

Actually, the first stage of meditation is contemplation. So the first mistake mentioned above has to come into play. One cannot have contemplation without the mind engaged. And one cannot come to peace with the self without out spending time with the self. Sometimes that time will feel really pleasant and at times it will be difficult. The trick is to stick with it until you find the peace you are seeking in that part of you and know that then another aspect will come to the forefront.  Another layer revealed.

Fortunately along your meditation path there will always be another “ah ha!” moment or another feeling of pure joy. Through cultivation you will discover the strengths you naturally possess and a greater confidence to use them as you go about your daily life facing your challenges in a positive, productive way.

Stay tuned next week when we will discover more of the common meditation mistakes.

Second Chance for New Habits

The Chinese New Year (January 31, 2014 - Year of the Horse) gives us a second chance to create new habits for our selves.

Meditation is about energy. Changing a habit is about shifting your energy to be more aligned with what your entire being wants or needs in order to be more in balance.

Here are ten suggestions for possible new habits this year:

1. Meditate more: Even five minutes a day will boost all areas of your life. (Need some support with your meditation? Come to Meditation From the Heart classes.)

2. Self Compassion: Loving yourself may seem counter intuitive to the way most of us have been raised to do for others first and put yourself last on the list. Well, the truth is, if you take care of yourself first then your batteries are well-charged to help those around you.

3. Un-procrastination: Doing the things you have in mind or said you will do will give you feelings of accomplishment and increases your self worth and personal integrity.

4. Exercise. We are given only one body. Be grateful for it and treat your body well.

5. Let go of Expectations: Quite often, having expectations, leads to disappointment. A gentler approach is to know your preferences and accept what happens along your path of life.

6.  Simple Living: Children have it right. See where you can simplify your life. You may find it leads you to more happiness.

7.  Face your Fears: Fears love company. As soon as you turn your back on one then it invites it's buddies to join in for more pestering later. If you, however, face the fear head on it will lessen its grip on you and dissipate.

8. Improve Relationships: Of course starting with yourself is key. (No matter where you go, there you are.) Harmonizing with others is fun and rewarding.

9.  Practice Acceptance: Acceptance of situations helps you to find solutions more easily and tends to help make your 'mountains' into molehills.

10.  Smile more often: The first smile could be at yourself in the mirror in the morning. The adage, "Smile and the world smiles with you," does contain some wisdom. 

I am quite sure you are capable of guiding yourself to choosing new habits for a better, healthier you.

Gung Hay Fat Choy! Best wishes and congratulations. Have a prosperous New Year!

Year of the Horse 2014

Chinese New Year is January 31 this 4,712 year. The first new moon in the Chinese calendar - called Sheng Xiao. Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came and Buddha named a year after each one. He also announced that the people who are born in an animal's year would have some of that animal's personality traits.

In order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Dog and Pig.

Chinese Zodiac

Those who are born in a horse year (1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, etc.) are cheerful, skillful with money, perceptive, witty, energetic and good with their hands. They do not like to be held in check, can be hasty at times, but make delightful companions.

2014 is a good year for self-improvement. Be conscientious of health issues - get plenty of rest and exercise. Do things in moderation. Both the good and bad bits that happen this year will go by quickly.

The Chinese have five alchemical elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth. The horse in general is associated with fire, but the year 2014 is a wood year. Wood helps fire burn and last longer. Therefore, businesses involving wood, fire and earth will do well this year.

The horse is a symbol of traveling as well as speedy success. The horse is a social animal and is connected to the color red. Some think the horse is a romantic star within the Chinese zodiac.

Carving by Henry Carter

10 Chinese Traditions for the New Year

1. House Cleaning before the New Year: Thorough sweeping and cleaning is be done within 72 hours before New Year's Day. It removes bad luck from the house. Also the cleaning equipment like brooms, dust pans, etc. should be kept out of sight before New Year's Eve.

2. Use of Firecrackers: Lighting firecrackers on New Year's Eve is one way the Chinese move the old year out while welcoming the new year in. The noise is said to drive away evil spirits. Also, staying awake until at least midnight, fends off the beast known as the 'year'.

3. Do not Tell Ghost Stories: The Chinese believe that whatever happens on the first day of the year will happen for the rest of the year. So it is taboo to use foul language, think unlucky thoughts or say bad things about other people on the first day. Ghost stories are chock full of death, evil spirits and negative energy, so both children and adults are to refrain from telling ghost stories.

4. Do not wash your hair: It is believed to wash away good luck for the New Year if you wash your hair on New Year's Day.

5. Do not Wear Black: In the Chinese culture black is related to death and bad luck. So avoid wearing black clothes on the first day of the year.

6. New Year's Eve Dinner:  This is the most important dinner of the year and is often treated as a reunion as well. Traditionally fish and dumplings will be served because they represent prosperity.

7. No Crying: It is believed that if you cry on New Year's Day you will cry often throughout the year. This is why children are not punished on the first day of the year.

8. No Broken Crockery: Have broken dishes or cups? Time to send them on their way. It is bad luck to start the New Year with broken crockery.

9. No Cutting: The Chinese believe that nothing should be cut on the New Year as it will reflect poorly on one's life and fortune.

10. Red is Good: Wear splendid red clothing. Decorate with red adornments and paper cutouts of favorite subjects. Children are given money in red paper packets from their parents to wish them a cheerful new year.

Paper cut-out - Horse