Hard work, not polka dots, will usher in success

The only thing that overcomes hard luck is hard work. — Harry Golden

As we approach the new year and ponder our future, many are planning to follow superstitions to bring in good luck. I’d like to assert that consistent hard work and perseverance are the true keys to our success and not the wearing clothes with polka dots. 

To prove my point on diligence as key to good luck and success, I recommend that we read the 2008 book Outliers: The Story of Success authored by Malcolm Gladwell. Throughout this thought-provoking book, Gladwell repeatedly cites the so-called “10,000-hour rule,” claiming that the key to flourishing in any field is, in large measure, due to a person practicing a certain task for about 10,000 hours.

Some examples of the 10,000-hour rule behind success in the Philippines are world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, prima ballerina and future national artist Lisa Macuja Elizalde, Olivier and Tony award-winning Broadway star Lea Salonga, pop singing star Sarah Geronimo, traders turned billionaires Henry Sy, John Gokongwei, Jr., Lucio Tan and top banker George SK Ty.

No, it wasn’t just good luck that made them successful, but over 10,000 hours’ worth of accumulated experiences, hard work, overcoming obstacles, hands-on training and non-stop practice that made them exceptionally good at their vocations.

So, what superstitions?

Here are some Filipino superstitions or folk beliefs for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, many of which are actually of Chinese origin, and my comments:

1. Making boisterous noises to scare away evil spirits. Actually, this is an ancient Chinese folk belief and one reason for the use of firecrackers during the new year. Although I am ethnic Chinese in lineage and heritage, and think this is a unique way for the world to mark each new year, I prefer the opposite of noise. Why? Our late mother always spent those few moments at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve to have me and my younger sister pray with her in silence — in thanksgiving and to express new wishes as the world outside explodes in deafening noise.

2. Turning on lights to usher in a new year that’s brilliant and bright. No good luck here in my opinion, just mainly a harbinger of good cheer.

3. Open all doors, windows, cabinets and drawers to let good fortune in. Fresh air and more ventilation are good, especially after all those firecracker smoke at the stroke of midnight.

4. Pay off loans, fill wallet with new peso bills. Filipinos, like the Chinese, believe that whatever one’s financial condition is at midnight will also be our fate in the new year. This I think was an ingenious ploy or possible trick of ancient moneylenders to ultimately be able to finally collect on debts using this superstition as a nice and seemingly logical excuse. Actually, if more of us modern-day folks followed this superstition, it’s good financial discipline to keep us off unnecessary long-term debts.

5. Clean everything at home, office, everywhere before new year. Superstition or not, this is a very good practice and belief that should all do.

6. Wear polka-dots; round signifies prosperity. Fascinating superstition, but I wonder what the neighbourhood dressmakers or the fashion czars think of this belief in terms of variety in look? Sorry, but if the logic behind this cute superstition is to help us generate more barya or loose change in the new year, why don’t we upgrade to rectangular shapes or designs in order to bring forth more P500 or P1,000 bills into our lives this new year?

7. Scatter coins around the house, on top of tables, inside cabinets or drawers. This belief is good for kids, be sure to follow your elders and harvest these scattered coins.

8. Prepare 12 round fruits, signifying wish for luck in the next 12 months of the new year. This superstition is very good for all the fruit vendors and groceries, and ultimately good for our physical health because we really need to eat more fresh fruits! This can be a self-fulfilling superstition, for good health is true wealth. 

9. Have a round grape in the mouth at midnight? Why not other fruits too?

10. Eat a food made of sticky rice so luck would stick in the new year. Delicious superstition, no harm done here but just watch the weight and calories — it’s not so lucky to be overweight! 

11. Eat long noodles for long life. Similar to Chinese superstition during new year and birthday celebrations, but be sure to not use our spoon or fork or to cut noodles while serving them or eating them, that’s a no-no! I’m not a superstitious guy, but why not just follow the ancient folk beliefs and have fun?

12. Kids jumping at midnight to become taller. I don’t think this is a fun or healthy superstition for children because usually on New Year’s Eve we all eat again and we tend to eat quite a lot, so it is therefore not healthy for kids or adults to go jumping around like kangaroos!

13. On New Year’s Day itself, no cleaning of homes to not sweep away the good fortune that came on New Year’s Eve. My theory on this superstition: This was just the age-old and clever excuse of the wise women of the households in ancient China after the hard work of preparing and cooking up the previous night’s many New Year’s Eve dishes, so it’s their secret alibi for a well-deserved day-off.

14. Don’t spend money on New Year’s Day. It’s believed we’ll spend less and gain more surplus money in the new year. But what are we to do, for those who want to unwind in the shopping malls or abroad this time of the year? 

Whatever is your belief or rituals to usher in the new year, do not forget the true and time-tested secrets to good luck and success — prudent management of our resources or money and priceless time, old-fashioned sipag at tiyaga or hard work, and perseverance as popularized by ex-Senator Manny Villar, healthy habits for good health, and last but not the least, unceasing prayers and faith in God.

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