stubborn as an ox

The Chinese New Year was recently celebrated all over the world, as the year of the OX was welcomed in.  Oddly enough, the Ox has some interesting attributes that are strangely applicable to our current state of affairs in the world...So, I now plan to bestow my wisdom (or lack, thereof) onto you regarding the Ox (though I may be better versed in the art of being stubborn...).

My good friend Wikipedia has taught me a few things about the the Ox(en)  [boxen?  moosen?!]...

• They are a sign of prosperity by way of hard work
• They are capable of achieving great things
• They are dependable, calm, patient, and do not complain
• They use logic and common sense, and have active minds
• THEY NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF THEIR GOALS
• They are detail oriented, tireless workers
• They have a deep appreciation for beauty (ok, this one doesn't follow suit as much as the others, but stop and smell the roses, you know what I mean!?)

See a trend?!

Now this is not only the year of the Ox, it is also the year of the element Earth, which also brings some cool ideas.  Earth is...

• The balance of masculine and feminine
• Centered
• Associated with patience and thoughtfulness
• Has seasonal changes

While I am definitely NOT an avid follower of astrology, I say let's approach 2009 with these things in the backs of our minds...Maybe all this hard work / never lose sight of your goals mumbo-jumbo is what this world needs right now! ;o)  Let's be as stubborn as the ox (for those of us who aren't already...uh hum) and push through what seem to be dire and desperate times.

And maybe more importantly...the world needs us to appreciate beauty a little bit more...

So on that note...Happy Chinese New Year!