By Nancy Tannler, Editor
Dear Readers:
Thanks to our beloved advertisers, The Southeast Examiner will continue to exist in 2018. Their participation in our Holiday Gift Guide made that another great success too. The Shop Local mantra seems to be becoming a good attitude, as most of the gifts I received this year were locally sourced from Portland, Washougal, Seattle and even Sayulita, Mexico.
I enjoy the holidays and appreciate the extra effort everyone put into decorating their homes and businesses. It truly is the season of giving, light and hope. Hope is what the dawning of each new year brings.
If the auspicious number 18 holds any kind of good vibe ,than we can look forward to great success and prosperity. According to Chinese lore, the reason is that when 18 is alternatively pronounced (yāo bā), it strongly resembles the words “going to prosper.”
In the Hebrew system of a numerical value of words, the Hebrew word for life (chai) has the value of 18. This makes 18 a favorable number as it indicates hopes of a long life.
The Hebrew prayer called Shemoneh Esrei means eighteen and originally listed eighteen blessings. This is one of the most important prayers of the synagogue.
The reason I have researched the meaning of this number is because one time I was at the bank and the teller told me that my birthday, the eighteenth, was a lucky one in Asian numerology.
I hadn’t really thought much about it until this New Year, 2018, so I researched and found these pieces of information.
Going into the new year, I hope that everyone prospers at whatever has meaning to them.
Years ago I read the book Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl in which he soul- searchingly elucidates the belief that it is the striving to find a meaning in one’s life that is the primary, most powerful motivating and driving force in humans.
Although other philosophers exposed different ideas like the will to power or pleasure, Frankl’s altruism closely imitates the highest virtue of most of the world’s religions.
On the local front, I stand in awe of the people of this community who find meaning in life by doing their civic duty – the ones who take the time to attend meetings, write letters and assume leadership positions on behalf of their neighborhoods. Many of The Southeast Examiner stories reflect these individuals and their relentless stands for social justice.
I thank The Southeast Examiner reporters who help disseminate the complicated information about all the City’s rules and regulations. They inform us about the people, places and things of interest here in SE, whether we want to hear about them or not.
I admire the staff working in the different bureaus of the City even though we the people don’t always agree with the policy they present. At least they have the courage to show up and try to explain the course of action our government is taking.
I imagine each one of them is just as concerned about the future of Portland and planning for the seventh generation. The fact that the Portland metropolitan area is growing so quickly makes things complicated; crowding always causes problems.
And, once more a shout out to the advertisers of The Southeast Examiner, you have voted with your dollars to say yes to community news and local independent journalism.
Thank you.