Year of the Rat

Hey, it's the Year Of the Rat!!
As with the years before, the first day of the lunar year a few of us from Pacesetters will gather together for a leisure run and then makan. This year is the 'rat run' to double hills. Crazy runners!
Later, we had breakfast at Devi's Corner Hartamas which became an annual gathering place for us during Chinease New Year.
First day of Chinese New Year has always been like that these past years. I used to go for vacation before I got married, I wonder why I'm not doing it now? After all, I don't have any in-laws, so there's really no obligations to perform duties of a daughter-in-law. Must talk to John but he just came back from Bali!
Today, I caught up with a little sleep as I can't remember sleeping well the whole of last year. I dream most nights, I don't know why. That's why I call myself a dreamer. I never passed a night without dreaming...
Anyways..

Below is a message presented to me by a friend which I'll like to share:
"As we enter the Year of the Rat, we are inundated with upbeat views about the stock market and the economy, not only from economists, but also from geomancers. Coupled with some resolutions made for 2008 a month ago, the general mood is one brimmimg over optimism for a better year ahead and for greater opportunities to make more money.
What are we actually looking forward to in this new year and what new promises did we make ourselves? A new house? A new car? to beat the market? to climb the corporate ladder? to make more money?
Or did we resolve to spend more time with family and friends? to get home early at least three times a week? to do our bit to save the rainforest?
We make resolutions in a bid to improve our lives in the hope of increasing our happiness. So a very important question would be 'what makes us happy?'. What do we need to succeed in to make us happy?
Many people mistakenly measure their success in terms of Mercedes and money, not enjoyment and relationships.
Does more money mean more happiness? Would an extra million dollars make us happier? True, more money may mean more holidays, a better car or designer-label clothes but where does this stop?
How much is enough? People who know the answer are those who treat money or power as instrumental value. That is, these things are means rather than an end.
Ralph W. Emerson said: "To laugh often and loved much - to know even one life has breathed easier because you lived - this is to have succeeded."
Yes. We need to realize that success is not about what we have but who we are. It should not be linked to the size of our bank accounts and number of cars in our garage, but rather to personal excellence and fulfilment."

As for me, there are many aspects to success; material wealth is only one component..But success also includes good health, energy, enthusiasm for life, fulfilling relationships, creative freedom, emotional and psychological stability, a sense of well-being and a peace of mind.

Wishing everyone a successful and fulfilling year ahead!