Honestly, I’m not one for Western holidays — but among all of them, Christmas Eve is the one exception I hold dear.
Simply because the name in Chinese carries such a beautiful weight: 平安夜 — the Night of Peace and Safety. Ping ping an an.
Just hearing it warms the heart.
And warmth is something we’ve all been craving lately.
Let’s be honest — these past two years have been delicate for most of us. You know it, I know it.
Who among us doesn’t need a little comfort, a little mental breathing room?
So what do we do? Complain? Blame others? Give up?
None of the above.
As I’ve said time and again: moments like these call for conservation of energy — rest, recover, and stop thrashing about unnecessarily.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with allowing yourself a genuine rest.
But here’s something I’ve observed deeply over these years: we Chinese, the descendants of Yan and Huang, have hard work and grit etched into our very bones.
And that strength, paradoxically, leads us into one of the most dangerous mistakes on the path of life.
When the winds turn against us, we dig in harder. We push through the cold and the storm, working overtime, scraping together every last grain of rice for the winter — rather than stepping back.
And in doing so, we end up working against ourselves. We outsmart ourselves right into a corner.
I completely understand the drive. Being willing to fight hard is genuinely important — “those who dare to fight will win,” as they say.
But knowing when to rest is just as important.
Because it is only in those quiet moments of stillness that a person can truly examine where their life has been heading — to see clearly where they went wrong, and what can be adjusted. And then, with renewed energy and a clearer mind, chart a better path forward.
This past year, I’ve sat down with many friends to do exactly that: a thorough review of life and work, with calm and clarity. After all, Master Chi’s mastery of Chinese metaphysics is well known throughout Jiangnan.
And the conclusion? Nearly nine out of ten people discovered that this extended period of stillness was, in fact, a tremendous gift.
Because objectively — the world is undergoing profound change. Whether you view it through the lens of Chinese metaphysics (we are now in the era of Nine Purple Fire Star), or through the lens of economic shifts and the reshaping of world order — transformation is happening on a grand scale.
Taking a brief pause to recalibrate your direction is, in truth, far more visionary than charging ahead with a show of frantic activity.
A temporary stop is simply preparation for a stronger advance.
So tonight is Christmas Eve — a Western occasion, yes — but I hope it can mark the beginning of your winter restoration.
From tonight through the end of the Lunar New Year: allow yourself to genuinely relax. Accept with grace whatever comes — good or bad.
But keep these principles close:
- Ensure proper rest each day; do not exhaust yourself.
- Nurture yourself in warm, intimate spaces — don’t scatter your Chi (气).
- Speak no words of pessimism; don’t invite misfortune with your own mouth.
- Declutter and let go — set aside anything that has brought you unhappiness.
- Keep life simple; find joy even in the routine.
- Exercise and meditate regularly; cultivate your inner vitality.
And you know me — I never miss an opportunity to offer a blessing or bring a little positive energy your way.
So tonight, on this Christmas Eve — Western holiday or borrowed trend, it doesn’t matter.
I wish you peace. I wish you smooth sailing.
Because in life, peace and safety are greater than anything — aren’t they?