I usually like to kick-start a new year by seizing financial opportunities and exploring exciting business ventures. However, this year I took a very different approach to begin my year. I'd made a decision to take a one-and-a-half-month vacation to spend Chinese new year with all my relatives in my homeland Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I've never before taken such a lengthy vacation at the start of any new year, let alone spend it with all my relatives in Malaysia. (I guess you could say I felt a sudden urge to create more balance in my life by making more time for my family). At first, I felt a little rattled by my decision, but as the events from that decision unfolded, I recognized a higher level of emotional, mental and spiritual fulfillment that taught me to appreciate balance, and all the important things and people in my life.

You see, when you make a decision and a commitment to do something good for yourself, it is like dropping a pebble in a pond. It has a rippling effect. Energy vibrations are sent out into the universe that touch people and places you may or may not see. The firmer your decision, the stronger the frequency and wider the range of things that will be reached. The ripples closest to you may make you uncomfortable. They may rattle you a bit (as they did to me). However, one important factor we must all understand is that a decision will usually have a long-term and far-reaching effect. So just trust that the unnerving ripples around you will eventually go away (as they did for me).

Though in the beginning I felt uncomfortable with my decision, when the ripples from that decision gently subsided, I was pleasantly reminded of how beautifully blessed I am to be related to a large group of wonderful souls. Our time together fulfilled me so much emotionally, mentally and spiritually that it has inspired me to share with you my thoughts and experiences on the power of decision in my next article in April. Stay tuned, but for now, I hope the photos below will speak louder than words.

Chinese new year in Malaysia is all about visiting family and friends, giving and receiving money, drinking, gambling and well, eating, of course.

Eating at a restaurant out on the street.

This is a traditional Chinese dish, "Yee Sang", which brings luck and good fortune to the group of people who stir up the ingredients of the dish at the same time before eating. (Eating with my uncle and his family).

Here we go again with that "Yee Sang" dish. (Eating with my cousin and her family).

We love stirring things up!

Chow down time again.

Just taste testing with my cousin to make sure everything is perfect for the guests.

Here comes the dessert prepared by my eldest cousins.

Having brunch on the first out of the fifteen days of Chinese new year with my father's brother and family, cousins, nieces and nephews.

There's that "Yee Sang" dish again. (Eating with my former next door neighbour and his family).

Going to visit one of my uncles and his family.

Waking up in the morning.

This ought to wake me up! (Hanging out in the "disco" room in the house).

Is it time for cigars yet?

Perhaps we should open a bottle of red first?

Spending time with my cousins at Grandma's house.

Just caught my nieces and nephew jumping on the bed.

Cooking with my cousin and aunt.

Spending time with more nieces and nephews.

My cousin (far right) and her daughters (my nieces).

Spending time with my aunts (my mother's brothers' wives).

Spending time with some of my mother's cousins.

The man to the right of me was my family doctor in Malaysia (and to my left is his lovely wife).

Having some drinks with my uncles (my mother's brothers).

Juice for the kids?

Time for a little Cognac.

One last drink before bed?

Black Jack anyone?

Show me the money!

Who's dealing next?

It's Mah Jong time!

Poker is my favourite.

Petronas Twin Towers in downtown Kuala Lumpur.

The KLCC mall inside the tower.

More shopping in the tower.

Night shopping on the streets in downtown K.L.

Check out the crowd tonight!

Time to pay respects to grandma and grandpa.

The little red wooden blocks thrown on the ground indicate that their souls have arrived to welcome me.

Entering the graveyard.

Some graves have bungalows.

The eight immortals.

Do I blend in?

Leaving the graveyard.

May all the souls rest in peace.

Guess what we're stirring again.

The dragon dance begins.

Looks like the dragon's hungry.

Time for a cigar.

I think I'll call it a night.

Saying goodnight.

My cousin's birthday (my mother's sister's son).

The pig's not related to us.

My cousin's birthday (my mother's brother's daughter).

Isn't the birthday girl suppose to be the only one blowing out the candles?

After dinner at Little Havana.

Getting ready to go dancing with my cousin.

Crazy crowd!

Sitting on the bar counter to avoid the crazy crowd.

Time to shake it on the dance floor.

Attending my cousin's wedding (our grandfathers are brothers).

Signing off.

At the dinner reception with my niece.

Before dinner with my uncle and his family.

Roast pig, anyone?

Where did everybody go?

The bride's youngest brother got drunk (for the first time).

Having some "Me" time.

Fishing? Looks like a storm is coming in.

Everything couldn't be more beautiful in Malaysia!