Chinese New Year & Pet Peeves

CNY came and gone in a wink of an eye..
For some, it was a good time to get some rest, buy new clothes, introduce someone special to your love ones and the all important reunion of friends and long - separated relatives ; all held over the tables for steamboat, herbal soups, majong, and other forms of recreational table games.

CNY for me this year was a little ... mood-less for me.
Maybe because on the lead up to it, so many things have happened, that I'm feeling extra dry when it came to the festivities. For the whole CNY, I had only 1 new shirt to wear on the first day. In the next couple of weeks, I would be embarking on a new challenge career wise, and still trying to balance my accounts to ensure that I have something decent left after years of working on your own; not earning enough to have decent savings.

but before I start the ramblings of my grouses, I would like to attempt to give thanks first for my circumstances, acknowledging the rich blessings that I've now.

One, is the position to be able to bless others. Financially or physically, although not in great measure, at least I'm still able to contribute a little, and that already makes me blessed. I remember and scribed to Aargon's philosophy of "I give hope to others, but keep none for myself.." These very words have inspired me not because I'm a hero wannabe but those words strikes a cord in my heart to do the same for my fellow peers. After all, I'm entrusting that my father in heaven would know and meet my every need in the first place.

two. the relationships that have grown over the years. Honestly, with my past leaving behind a scar in my attitude towards relationships, I'm most pessimistic when it comes to building new relationships. Be it, romantic or simply platonic ones. Thus, I've to kinda challenge myself to be open to meet new people.
I'm willingly to go 90% of the way for someone, but its up to the other party to consider making that mere 10% effort to seal the deal. The litmus test though is for me to shake off this chain of "I'm not good enough for this person / someone else can make this person happier than me.." blah blah.. Platonic relationships are much simpler for me, as the majority of the time, I'm out as entertaining and being obliging to others, hoping and wishing that if anyone ever asks me, who inspires me, I would reply Jesus Christ.
Nope, I don't really have much friends in all honesty. Most people would come through my life for a season, and move on..only 2 people have so far travelled the course of life with me through ups and down, and neither one have given their life to Jesus Christ. That's the extent of my failure to be a salt and light of the world..

Pet Peeves
Without elaborating, there are few pet peeves that have gotten on my nerves even more the last couple of days. So in no order of magnitude
1. taking people for granted (I'm not only talking about saying your thank you half-heartily)
2. disrespecting elders/others
3. being stingy with your blessings
4. thought-less-ness
5. stirring up troubles / looking for conflict amongst others
6. hypocritical actions
7. ego-centric actions and behaviours
8. a lack of holiday to rest and be inspired.

Yup, I'm stopping myself at eight. The auspicious number. Well, this CNY, hasn't been a joy ride. With my cousin registering his marriage (great news for the family!) I'm feeling the 'latent' heat when my mum starts mumbling under her breathe about being a grandmother before the age of 60 to everyone when she does the 'lao yu seng'. That leaves me 5 years more to go. Doesn't help that I've not contributed to CPF in the last 5 years..
Maybe my next holiday has to be more purposeful. After all, its been close to 4 years since I had one.

Sigh..