Festival season is here, and the joy of celebrating with friends and family is in the air! But did you know that festivals also teach us important life lessons beyond the classroom? Here’s a look at 5 life lessons you can learn from festivals.
1) The power of community
Festivals bring together people of all ages and backgrounds to celebrate and honour a shared purpose. They remind us that we are stronger together and that we can accomplish great things when we come together as one.
For example, imagine the feast our mothers prepare during occasions like Hari Raya and Diwali. The items on the menu are infinite, but they pull that off because we all join hands to help her. Or take, for example, tidying up our house. Before big festivals, it is a tradition among all households to clean not only the house but the neighbourhood to give a warm welcome to our guests.
2) Appreciation of culture
Festivals provide us with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of different cultures outside the four walls of the classroom. We can learn about the history, traditions and customs of different cultures and celebrate their uniqueness.
For example, Malaysia is famous for the Lion Dance during Chinese New Year. We can hear the drum beats and see Lion Dance in almost every crook and corner of the nation. No matter which culture you belong to, you simply cannot miss the celebration the festival brings to you.
3. Gratitude
Festivals remind us to count our blessings and to be grateful for what we have. From the food we eat to the clothes we wear, festivals are a great reminder to be thankful for all the good in our lives.
In some festivals like Raya, Muslims fast for 30 days before Eid-ul-Fitr. They fast from sunrise to sunset for Allah. This tradition teaches Muslims to be grateful for what they have and to share their assets with the less fortunate. And seeing this, everyone in the community gets inspired to do the same. That is the power of festivals and traditions.
4. Respect for nature
Celebrations like Holi remind us to respect and appreciate nature. We can learn how to use natural resources responsibly and to be conscious of our impact on the environment. Besides, we learn to appreciate the gorgeous colours surrounding us beyond the classroom.
Then for other festivals that involve praying and fasting, we learn to respect our body and the value of discipline. When we celebrate the festivals, we appreciate the sweetness of fruits that nature bestows upon us and the enigmatic smells of flowers adorning our homes. The joyous events give us an excuse to pause our busy lives and look around at all the natural resources we already have around us.
5. Joy of giving
Festivals are a great reminder to share and spread joy and kindness. We can learn to give back and make a positive difference in the lives of others. This is something you can learn extensively beyond the classroom. Packing gifts and giving them to people to put a smile on their faces is a different level of thrill.
During festivals, we also give Ang Pao to our juniors and people in the community to promote a tradition of love, care and sharing. The money may be small in amount, but the gesture of love and kindness it reflects is ever-lasting.
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