How to make the new year fruitful?-Different beliefs.

The new year has arrived to remind us 365 days are gone by, what we did on all those days? Serious people made a chart of happenings in the year passed by. Enlisting the activities month wise is really helpful. It helps you to judge yourself as how much you have progressed- what are your learning in all these days? At the end of the year where have you reached and what could be your next plan? As I have enlisted a few tasks which can be included as new year resolutions in my previous post, I am sure many of you will follow some of those ideas as ultimately we want to make this world peaceful. I know that following all ideas available is not possible. Plenty of ideas to make your life fruitful are available, some are ‘good reads’ when you surf through nets and some really motivates to do good work. Some articles may seem to be vague but what is the harm in reading and implement at least one idea/resolution in all these 365 days? We can plant trees, donate clothes/ books; show love and care once or twice in a year-right? Picking up a good activity doesn’t mean we have to do it every day!

A lot of negative thinking comes along on the eve of new year too. It is like nothing is going to change overnight, why to take up a resolution or why to celebrate a new year? Gosh…don’t you feel emotional to say good bye to the past year which has given you so much??  umm…Are you  feeling that your hands are empty? No, that can’t be! Everyday is a gift-we learn something or we earn something. So a whole of 365 days can’t be empty! So welcome the new year in the best possible way and plan your days. Pray the new year brings you luck! Look how the people of different countries welcome the new year to remain successful.

Spain : Eating Grapes – The Spaniards believe that  stuffing 12 grapes, one for each second in the new year eve brings luck. If one  succeeds in doing so, good luck will follow in the following 12 months.

Denmark : Breaking plates – People save up unused and damaged plates to smash it against their friend’s doors. Finding a heap of broken china on the doorstep is considered as good luck.

Philippines : Money and round things – The Filipinos believe  in spreading coins in every nook and corner of the house will bring in wealth and good fortune for the New Year, to make sure the coming year is prosperous. Wearing anything round signifies prosperity, so polka dots are quite the rage around this time.

Japan : Ringing temple bell – The Buddhist temples in Japan bring in the New Year by ringing the temple bell 108 times on New Year’s eve.  The Japanese believe that this purifies the person and helps face the coming year with a clean slate.

Switzerland : Dropping ice cream – Swiss people drop a scoop of ice cream on the floor to make sure the next year is filled with luck,peace and wealth. They sing along the neighborhood wishing everyone a prosperous new year! I loved this!!

Ecuador:  Burning scarecrows -People in Ecuador make effigies filled with newspapers and old clothes and set it on fire. Thus they believe that all evil power is destroyed and the new year will start with a purified spirit!

Chile: Camping at the graveyard – This is done to make sure that all the departed souls of the family are included in New Year celebration. This is a way to remember them and seek their blessings in the coming year.

Ireland : Throwing bread – The Irish believe in throwing bread at the walls of the house to ward off evil spirits and ensure enough bread for the coming year. During poverty stricken times, this was a way of hoping there would be no shortage in the New Year.