Through my eyes

"Merry Christmas" is a simple wish for you to enjoy that day, whatever your beliefs. For the briefest of moments, we can actually spread a little joy in the world. Isn't it better to spread a little joy than none at all

A long time ago I had a serious fascination with a thirty-fourth-generation Shaolin fighting monk, Shi Yan Ming. In 1992, while on tour in the United States with an elite group of his peers from the Shaolin Temple, Shi Yan Ming decided to defect and stayed in New York.

He used to yell to his students in encouragement, "More Chi! Train Harder!" followed quickly by"Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!" In his view, every day is a cause for celebration, and everybody is "handsome."

When asked why he shouts, "Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!", he answered, "Yes, life is beautiful, precious; every day, every moment is a beautiful gift, we should appreciate it. A lot of times people forget what that means. In the 21st century everything is really fast, we fly, we drive, we send messages by text, fax, email, people forget what it means to have a beautiful body and beautiful mind. Those two simple phrases remind us of the importance, the meaning and the beauty of life. "Merry Christmas, Happy New Year" is something that helps us celebrate every day and reminds us of the attitude we should have, life is beautiful. Most of the people want to celebrate our beautiful life only two days a year, why not every day "

He is a very strange character but there is something magnetic about him. You just want to connect to his "Chi", and even though he comes across as simple, he is so wise. In a recent interview, he was quoted saying, "I would like people to realize that to whom do you pray Jesus Christ, Moses, Buddha, Allah; all of them are beautiful spiritual guides that teach people to love one another, the difference between right and wrong, to bring peace and understanding to the world."

Shaolin philosophy offers seven guiding principles for a long and healthy life. First principle is "Make your health your priority" Secondly we need to discover "The Power of Commitment". Thirdly "Every day life is Zen". Fourthly "Be moderate in drinking and eating". At number five "Quality counts more than quantity". At number six "It is our bad habits that cause us trouble, not reality". The seventh realization is "The peaceful heart is always here".

So Merry Christmas. Something about saying it makes me feel good and I suspect that's true for a lot of people.

Saying, "Merry Christmas" is neither politically correct nor politically incorrect. It is a simple wish for peace or joy or happiness in your life and the life of those you wish it to, if only for just one day. Enjoy your holidays responsibly! "More Chi! Train harder!"