Making Space for the New Year
However, a Filipino superstition states that it's unlucky to have a messy room (or home in general) at the beginning of the new year. Whatever you leave at the end of one year, you carry it into the next. Maybe that is why so many cultures have different traditions surrounding new beginnings- all of the traditions revolve around wanting to start on the right foot.
Tsagaan Sar (White Moon), the Mongolian Lunar New Year, has traditions such as the zolgolt, a greeting performed by younger folk to the older family members. They ask "Amar baina uu?" (Are you living peacefully?/Are you in peace?), followed by kisses on the cheek and a warm meal. In many cultures across Asia, the giving of red envelopes from elders to young family members is a symbol of luck and wishes for prosperity. On the Jewish new year holiday of Rosh Hashanah, the tashlikh is a Jewish rite performed to symbolically cast off sins through the act of praying near running waters such as rivers and streams. Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti, which has been celebrated for over 2000 years on the Indian subcontinent, celebrates themes of transformation and traditions such as flying kites. Around the world, many people anticipate the coming of January 1st, the Gregorian calendar New Year, with parties, celebrations, and staying up late to watch the countdown to midnight. Lastly, every year on February 2nd, news channels around the United States flock to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to hear the prognostication of Punxsutawney Phil, a famous groundhog who is said to give predictions of the coming of spring.
No matter what the traditions, there is the same sentiment throughout all of these rituals, customs, and rites - all of them symbolize the hope for better things to come. The traditions are meant to spark new resolve or even new dreams for brighter times ahead.
As for me, I always feel better when midnight strikes and I have a much more organized room. That gives me some space to welcome new projects and new adventures into my life and more room for whatever the new year brings.
Have questions? Send us an email!
- Katherine Ellison, Glen Grove Principal
- Aurora Joaquin, Glen Grove Speech-Language Pathologist
- Katelyn Kelleher, Glen Grove Psychologist
- Hedy Helfand, Glen Grove English Langauge Learning Teacher
- Marie Chang-Pisano, Glen Grove Reading Intervention Associate
- Sylvia Gorski Duarte, District Title III Family Resource Teacher
- Lindsey Lurie, District Multilingual Instructional Coach
Email: GGCommunityProject@gmail.com