A child’s life is like a piece of paper on which every person leaves a mark.

~Chinese Proverb

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Friday morning…I watched  Clay Aiken on the show, BOLD.  I made sure I got up early to see the show at 7:00AM (California time).

Carrie Sheffield and Clay started off the show talking about the past week…they could have gone on forever!!!

The topics of the day were…the role of religion in politics, National School Choice Week and the new book “The Power of Meaning: Crafting a Life That Matters.”

D B Sweeney was a last minute guest on the show!  He brought a short clip of his new movie, The Resurrection of Gavin Stone.  Carrie, Clay, and DB had a great discussion about religion and Hollywood.

Both Clay and Carrie answered some questions sent in to Bold’s Facebook page.  The entire show was interesting and worth that 7AM alarm.

If you missed the show, you can still see it on the BOLD Facebook page.  Check HERE

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The Year of the Rooster on the Chinese calendar begins today, Saturday, January 28th.

Chinese New Year is a holiday that celebrates the beginning of a new year according to the lunar calendar. It is considered to be one of the most important holidays for Chinese families.

The holiday is celebrated with big family gatherings, gift giving, the eating of symbolic foods and displays of festive decorations. All of these traditions are focused on bringing good luck for the New Year and celebrating the coming of Spring.

On the eve of the Chinese New Year it is customary to visit with relatives and partake in a large dinner where a number of specific foods are served.

It is a traditional practice for adults to give children little red envelopes–hong bao in Mandarin or lai-see in Cantonese–filled with money in order to symbolize wealth and prosperity for the coming year.

Chinese New Year is filled with so many traditions. It’s always interesting to learn about the traditions of other cultures. My grand kids receive red envelopes each year!

In celebration of the Lunar New Year, Chinese communities around the world and across the U.S. will wish their families and friends a happy and prosperous Year of the Rooster. Did you know that one in every six people in the world celebrates the holiday?

We don’t know what Clay Aiken is doing this year for Chinese New Year, but if he is home in New York, he will have many different things to do to celebrate the exciting holiday! Whatever he does today,  wear lots of layers, a hat, gloves, and a scarf…it’s going to be COLD!!!

So…Mr. Aiken…We would love it if you periscoped or posted an instagram as you celebrate The Year of The Rooster. 

If you do, the world will shine a bit brighter with lots of smiles! 

And most of all have fun!

“Gung Hay Fat Choy.”

Translation: “Best wishes and Congratulations. Have a prosperous and good year.”