By Paul Yung
Chinese New Year has always been one of my favourite times of the year. There’s a certain warmth to it that’s hard to put into words. Homes are fuller, voices are louder, and tables are heavier with food and stories. Growing up, I’m sure one phrase we all heard from our parents when the food came during reunion dinners was, eat while the food is hot.
At the time, it sounded purely practical. Later eat, food cold already. But as I’ve gotten older, I realise there’s a deeper wisdom in that reminder. It wasn’t just about the food. It was about being present. About enjoying what’s in front of us while we still can.
During Chinese New Year celebrations, it’s easy to get distracted, even while sitting at the table with friends and family. We worry about who’s sitting where, whether everyone has arrived, whether the dishes are coming out in the right order, whether something could have been done better. We’re physically there, but mentally elsewhere, caught up in small details.
It’s a bit like rearranging the reunion dinner seating over and over, while the food goes cold. We get so busy trying to make everything perfect that we forget why we gathered in the first place. The laughter, the connection, the shared moment. The food was meant to be eaten together, not admired endlessly while we overthink everything else.
Chinese New Year is meant to be a time to zoom out and appreciate the bigger picture.
Not just the traditions, but the privilege of having people to celebrate with. Not just the rituals, but the relationships behind them. The house doesn’t need to be spotless. The seating doesn’t need to be flawless. What matters is that we’re here, together, while the moment is still warm.
Yet, many of us struggle with this, not just during festive seasons, but in life in general. We focus too much on small imperfections and lose sight of what truly matters. We over analyse conversations, obsess over details and drain our energy trying to control things that don’t move the needle.
Here’s something I’ve learned over the years. Perfection is exhausting. It consumes attention and joy without giving much back. Presence, on the other hand, costs nothing and gives everything. Being fully there, whether at a reunion dinner, at work, or with people we care about, is what makes moments meaningful.
Think about the Chinese New Year gatherings you remember most fondly. They were rarely perfect. Someone was late. Someone talked too loudly. Someone complained about the food. Something always went slightly wrong. And yet, those are the moments that stick. Not because everything was done right, but because everyone showed up.
Life works the same way. Not every step needs to be perfect to be worthwhile. Not every plan needs to be flawless to move us forward. Sometimes, imperfect moments, when fully experienced, become the ones we treasure most.
Being present is a choice. It’s choosing to put the phone down during a conversation. It’s choosing to listen without rushing. It’s choosing to enjoy the meal instead of worrying about what’s next. It’s choosing people over processes, moments over minor details.
During this festive season, it might be worth asking ourselves a simple question. Are we too busy arranging things, or are we actually enjoying them? Are we waiting for the perfect moment, or are we eating while the food is hot?
Because moments, like food, don’t stay warm forever. Conversations fade, laughter quietens, and one day the table won’t be as full as it once was. When that day comes, we won’t remember whether everything was perfect. We’ll remember whether we were present.
So, as we gather this Chinese New Year, let’s remind ourselves of that familiar advice we’ve all heard before. Eat while the food is hot. Enjoy the moment while it’s here. Be present while the table is full and the house is loud.
As we welcome the Year of the Horse, a symbol of strength, endurance and forward momentum, may we move forward without rushing past what matters. Gong Xi Fa Cai, and wishing you and your loved ones a happy, healthy and prosperous Year of the Horse.
