Welcome to the year of the Dragon. Dragons are a symbol of good fortune and sign of intense power. In Chinese astrology 2012 is the Year of the Water Dragon.
It’s an excellent opportunity to dedicate yourself to making the most out of the worst as it is a time of hope and optimism.
Now is the time to stir up momentum and keep it going. It’s easier to fix up any mistakes or situations that have been problematic. Water Dragons are able to see things from other points of view.
In Chinese Taoist thought, water is representative of intelligence and wisdom, flexibility, softness and pliancy. Water type people appear a bit reserved, yet are often very creative, sometimes even eccentric. They can appear cool and stoic, yet have the capacities to be still and deeply reflect.
People born in the year of the Dragon are self determined, intellectually clever, sharp and multi-talented. They are kind and generous as long as they are allowed to take the lead.
Dragons do things on a grand scale - big ideas, ornate gestures, extreme ambitions. Confident, fearless in the face of challenge, they are almost inevitably successful. Generous personalities give them the ability to attract friends, but they can be rather solitary people at heart.
Known to take thrilling risks and burn the candle at both ends they are fortunate to be blessed with good health. Usually they’re content out and about rather than staying at home. Popular people, they seem to gather as much criticism as they do esteem. Due to their tumultuous temperaments, Dragons are not the most sensitive friends to those in need of a shoulder.
According to legend, the Buddha invited all the animals of the kingdom to come before him. Only 12 showed up: the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. In gratitude, the Buddha decided to name a year after each of these animals and these 12 animals make up the traditional Chinese zodiac. Those born during that year would inherit some of the personality of that animal and each year would have its own peculiar and unique beliefs, such as it being an auspicious time to give birth or open a new business.
Previous Years include:
1904 * 1916 * 1928 * 1940 * 1952 * 1964 * 1976 * 1988 * 2000
You can celebrate Chinese New Year by:
Adding a lucky red door. Red is a traditional color of luck. It is important to focus on doing what one can to bring about good luck for the New Year. If you don't want to paint the door red, how about wrapping it up like a present with red wrapping paper.
Eat. Food is a large part of the Chinese culture. Prepare a plate or bowl of longevity noodles as part of the festivities to bring about long life.
Create a lantern.
Give lucky money: a popular tradition a gift of red envelopes with money in them. These gifts are given to children and usually follow a bit of superstition in that the money needs to be given in even amounts and never contain unlucky numbers, such as four. Therefore, four dollars is not a good gift. The envelopes are also decorated with lucky symbols and New Year wishes.
Give a small gift. The giving of simple gifts is also an appropriate way to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
Sing Happy Birthday to your dog. The second day of the Chinese New Year is considered the birthday of all dogs.
Discover your sign under Chinese astrology.
Learn about the depths of your character.
See what this year holds in store for you.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Saturday, August 27, 2011
The Ambush is Over
Recently, ambushed by a huge dose of negativity, it occurred to me that I can simply avoid those with such sour dispositions.
Just take a breather...
Negativity is contagious. I don't really want to be accidently poisoned with pessimism, fear and toxicity from my environment...or be in direct contact from others. A little breathing room is then necessary.
There is an anecdote.
Change each negative word to a positive one.
Mirroring these statements aloud helps.
Sometimes you often find the need to stand back to make room for another to express themselves.
Case in point my latest blog post at
http://hamiltonwriter-foodforthought.blogspot.com/
It's the Calm in the Face of the Storm.
There are instances where remaining calm and collected allow you to remain centred in your own sense of self. Adjusting your level of detachment allows you to really notice what is happening in that moment.
Then, you empower yourself to be able to choose your responses, maintain your personal boundaries and remain intact.
Some may agree, or disagree with this tactic. For me, it's grace under pressure. I cannot control outcomes.
The purpose of my life is to be happy.
I know Who I Am, and difficult times, ambushing events, simply indicate that change is due.
When one door closes or is slammed shut, inevitably another opportunity will present itself.
Just take a breather...
Negativity is contagious. I don't really want to be accidently poisoned with pessimism, fear and toxicity from my environment...or be in direct contact from others. A little breathing room is then necessary.
There is an anecdote.
Change each negative word to a positive one.
Mirroring these statements aloud helps.
Sometimes you often find the need to stand back to make room for another to express themselves.
Case in point my latest blog post at
http://hamiltonwriter-foodforthought.blogspot.com/
It's the Calm in the Face of the Storm.
There are instances where remaining calm and collected allow you to remain centred in your own sense of self. Adjusting your level of detachment allows you to really notice what is happening in that moment.
Then, you empower yourself to be able to choose your responses, maintain your personal boundaries and remain intact.
Some may agree, or disagree with this tactic. For me, it's grace under pressure. I cannot control outcomes.
The purpose of my life is to be happy.
I know Who I Am, and difficult times, ambushing events, simply indicate that change is due.
When one door closes or is slammed shut, inevitably another opportunity will present itself.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Males suffering from Eating Disorders is on the Rise
Until I had met Kathy and heard of her son’s struggles, I had never heard of Male Anorexia. Also known as Manorexia.
Manorexia is the male preoccupation with extreme thinness. It occurs when a person becomes psychologically obsessed with any visible quantity of fat tissue and exercises, diets, drinks, or uses drugs compulsively in an intentional attempt to get thinner.
The term Bigorexia was coined to reflect the dissatisfaction with lack of body muscle. This psychological disorder in males is denoted by obsession with their body image, usually musculature. Manorexics often resort to compulsive weight lifting, use of dietary supplements, or steroids in an attempt to build muscle mass to look "perfect". The end result of uncontrolled Manorexia is grotesquely large muscles.
Men that are suffering from eating disorders is on the rise.
There are several significant obstacles to treating men with eating disorders. Because male eating disorders do not tend to fit prevailing social perceptions, men are less likely to recognize their own problems. The social stigma around eating disorders may be stronger for males. Males are more reluctant to admit that they are suffering, and may worry that they will be seen as feminine for having an eating disorder. These factors make males more reluctant to seek help. In-patient treatment programs for males are rare. In addition, it can be difficult for a man to find a program that offers male-only group therapy and rehabilitation activities. Experts have found that eating disorders are best treated in same-sex only settings; emotional issues relevant to these disorders tend to be gender-specific, and men may be particularly embarrassed to discuss their concerns in front of women.
Common signs of anorexia include:
Poor body image
Decreased sexual desire
Frequent exercise
Depression
Performing food rituals
Perfectionist behaviors
Electrolyte disturbances
Isolating oneself
Thinning hair
Low body weight
Obsessive-compulsiveness
Inability to eat with others
Fatigue, weak muscles
Complications which specifically affect male anorexia include the fact that men with anorexia lose more muscle and tissue than women, who will instead lose body fat. The fact that muscle and tissue is more often lost in men is very detrimental to the body. This makes male anorexia far more dangerous than most cases of female anorexia.
Scientists are only beginning to understand how a myriad of factors interact to cause eating disorders. Family and twin studies coupled with recent advances in genetic research indicate that heredity is responsible for about 50% of the risk of developing Anorexia Nervosa with the environment responsible for the other half. Genetic links have also been seen between Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa, Anorexia and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and eating disorders and mood disorders.
Or is it a family issue? At most, genetics is only half the story: there are a number of factors that occur in a person’s life that puts them at greater risk to develop an eating disorder. A history of feeding problems as an infant, childhood obesity or excessive thinness, and fad dieting all may contribute. Severe life stress involving family members or close friends frequently occur in the year before a person develops an eating disorder. Childhood trauma and preoccupation by family members on the importance of weight and appearance may also contribute. If mom, dad, or a sibling is constantly dieting and obsessing about her or his weight, it can cause a young girl to begin obsessing about her own weight. If talk in the house is continually focused around eating and weight, it stands to reason that a young person will begin to continually think about eating and weight.
Nowadays men are increasingly more aware of their bodies. While in the past, men tended not to worry about their bodies as long as they were strong enough to do needed work. Today men are bombarded with images of the perfectly muscled man-leaving many feeling that they fall short. This increased cultural pressure for a Brad Pitt/Mark Wahlberg body could contribute to males developing eating disorders in connection with athletic performance. As in the case of Kathy’s son. They typically obsess about their percentage of body fat. They develop food phobias based on what will and won't give them a competitive edge. This fixation with performance often leads them to other drastic measures such as steroids and compulsive exercise. In addition, athletic teams and coaches often encourage unhealthy eating and exercise practices as a part of physical conditioning. Sports that require weigh-ins, such as wrestling, boxing, and crew, are the most susceptible to extreme eating and exercise regimens. Males may choose to go along with these habits, rather than risk being labeled weak or a wimp.
Historically, eating disorders have been almost exclusively associated with females. Advertising and mass media, create a pervasive dissatisfaction in women about their bodies. On the one hand, magazines and televisions are filled with advertisements for fast food and junk food. On the other hand, those same magazines and televisions inundate us with images of the “super-thin” super model, movie star, television star, or rock star. Consequently, girls often have an unhealthy or inaccurate opinion about their bodies. Feeling pressure to be thin increases the likelihood of binge eating and bulimic symptoms. Certain personality traits have been considered as risk factors for developing an eating disorder. Perfectionism is the one most often linked to “a relentless pursuit of the thin ideal” and there are cultural factors that emphasize thinness as part of the ideal appearance of women. Imagery often reinforced by the media play into such thinking.
While eating disorders have long been considered primarily a woman's disease, when combined with the lack of male specific eating disorder treatment programs only reinforces this idea. And because some research suggests that those males with eating disorders are predominantly homosexual, some heterosexual men worry about being identified as such if they seek medical help. It is clear that once an eating disorder takes hold, the individual is likely to report low self esteem and an overwhelming need for control. Weight loss and thinness define their sense of self worth.
Possible Causes of Male Anorexia
Genetics – If someone in your immediate family has struggled with anorexia, then your chances of developing the disorder increase greatly. Also, certain personality types are more likely to develop eating disorders than others. For example, perfectionists are more likely to develop an eating disorder than their counterparts. In fact, perfectionism is the leading cause of male anorexia. Perfectionism leads to the desire to be right, accepted, and in control – all of which can be the primary causes of male anorexia. The cause of male anorexia in perfectionists is the actual desire to reach perfection and the erroneous belief that being thin, or perfect, will lead to happiness. High anxiety levels, obsessive-compulsive behaviors and depression are also possible causes of male anorexia.
Brain Activity – Further research has indicated that another cause of male anorexia can be traced back to the brain’s dopamine receptors, which regulate pleasure. When a male with anorexia under eats, the brain dispenses feelings of euphoria. In this way food is used a type of anti-depressant as it relieves any anxious thoughts.
Family – Another emotional factor which causes male anorexia is the presence of family issues. Some males with eating disorders report feeling smothered by their families. Yet others felt abandoned and misunderstood. Still more had parents who overemphasized their physical appearances. In these families, the cause of the male anorexia is the fact that the individual learned to keep doubts, fears, anxieties and imperfections hidden.
Society – Cultural pressures to be thin and the portrayal of thin individuals on television are also underlying causes of male anorexia. The continual barrage of ads containing thin, happy people inevitably sends the message that happiness can only be found by being thin.
Manorexia or Bigorexia? No matter what the term, males with eating disorders aren't seeking help for this problem at nearly the same rate as women are. One of the reasons could be that men aren't as aware of the symptoms of an eating disorder, as women typically are and may attribute their own eating issues to other problems, such as not paying enough attention to diet or drinking too much. Friends and even health professionals may not consider an eating disorder in a man who has lost significant weight, either.
What is certain is that their struggles with body image, eating disorders, extreme dieting, and excessive exercise are real. This issue needs to be brought out in the open. The silence and secrecy about male eating disorders needs to be better understood in order to provide appropriate prevention and treatment for males at risk—and it must be available.
With on-going treatment, support and care, recovery is possible. Left untreated, male anorexia can be devastating and deadly.
Resources include:
The Invisible Man: A Self-help Guide for Men With Eating Disorders, Compulsive Exercise and Bigorexia by John F. Morgan
Making Weight: Healing Men's Conflicts with Food, Weight, and Shape written by M.D. Arnold Andersen and co-authored by Dr Thomas Holbrook, who is an eating disorder expert who shares his personal struggle and recovery.
The National Eating Disorder Information Centre www.nedic.ca
North York General Hospital offers an Eating Disorders Program for adolescents aged 12-18, and a program for adults aged 19 and older as part of a collaborative initiative with the Toronto General Hospital's (TGH) Eating Disorders Program, part of the University Health Network and offers a partial hospitalization program for patients with diagnosed anorexia and bulimia nervosa.
Manorexia is the male preoccupation with extreme thinness. It occurs when a person becomes psychologically obsessed with any visible quantity of fat tissue and exercises, diets, drinks, or uses drugs compulsively in an intentional attempt to get thinner.
The term Bigorexia was coined to reflect the dissatisfaction with lack of body muscle. This psychological disorder in males is denoted by obsession with their body image, usually musculature. Manorexics often resort to compulsive weight lifting, use of dietary supplements, or steroids in an attempt to build muscle mass to look "perfect". The end result of uncontrolled Manorexia is grotesquely large muscles.
Men that are suffering from eating disorders is on the rise.
There are several significant obstacles to treating men with eating disorders. Because male eating disorders do not tend to fit prevailing social perceptions, men are less likely to recognize their own problems. The social stigma around eating disorders may be stronger for males. Males are more reluctant to admit that they are suffering, and may worry that they will be seen as feminine for having an eating disorder. These factors make males more reluctant to seek help. In-patient treatment programs for males are rare. In addition, it can be difficult for a man to find a program that offers male-only group therapy and rehabilitation activities. Experts have found that eating disorders are best treated in same-sex only settings; emotional issues relevant to these disorders tend to be gender-specific, and men may be particularly embarrassed to discuss their concerns in front of women.
Common signs of anorexia include:
Poor body image
Decreased sexual desire
Frequent exercise
Depression
Performing food rituals
Perfectionist behaviors
Electrolyte disturbances
Isolating oneself
Thinning hair
Low body weight
Obsessive-compulsiveness
Inability to eat with others
Fatigue, weak muscles
Complications which specifically affect male anorexia include the fact that men with anorexia lose more muscle and tissue than women, who will instead lose body fat. The fact that muscle and tissue is more often lost in men is very detrimental to the body. This makes male anorexia far more dangerous than most cases of female anorexia.
Scientists are only beginning to understand how a myriad of factors interact to cause eating disorders. Family and twin studies coupled with recent advances in genetic research indicate that heredity is responsible for about 50% of the risk of developing Anorexia Nervosa with the environment responsible for the other half. Genetic links have also been seen between Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa, Anorexia and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and eating disorders and mood disorders.
Or is it a family issue? At most, genetics is only half the story: there are a number of factors that occur in a person’s life that puts them at greater risk to develop an eating disorder. A history of feeding problems as an infant, childhood obesity or excessive thinness, and fad dieting all may contribute. Severe life stress involving family members or close friends frequently occur in the year before a person develops an eating disorder. Childhood trauma and preoccupation by family members on the importance of weight and appearance may also contribute. If mom, dad, or a sibling is constantly dieting and obsessing about her or his weight, it can cause a young girl to begin obsessing about her own weight. If talk in the house is continually focused around eating and weight, it stands to reason that a young person will begin to continually think about eating and weight.
Nowadays men are increasingly more aware of their bodies. While in the past, men tended not to worry about their bodies as long as they were strong enough to do needed work. Today men are bombarded with images of the perfectly muscled man-leaving many feeling that they fall short. This increased cultural pressure for a Brad Pitt/Mark Wahlberg body could contribute to males developing eating disorders in connection with athletic performance. As in the case of Kathy’s son. They typically obsess about their percentage of body fat. They develop food phobias based on what will and won't give them a competitive edge. This fixation with performance often leads them to other drastic measures such as steroids and compulsive exercise. In addition, athletic teams and coaches often encourage unhealthy eating and exercise practices as a part of physical conditioning. Sports that require weigh-ins, such as wrestling, boxing, and crew, are the most susceptible to extreme eating and exercise regimens. Males may choose to go along with these habits, rather than risk being labeled weak or a wimp.
Historically, eating disorders have been almost exclusively associated with females. Advertising and mass media, create a pervasive dissatisfaction in women about their bodies. On the one hand, magazines and televisions are filled with advertisements for fast food and junk food. On the other hand, those same magazines and televisions inundate us with images of the “super-thin” super model, movie star, television star, or rock star. Consequently, girls often have an unhealthy or inaccurate opinion about their bodies. Feeling pressure to be thin increases the likelihood of binge eating and bulimic symptoms. Certain personality traits have been considered as risk factors for developing an eating disorder. Perfectionism is the one most often linked to “a relentless pursuit of the thin ideal” and there are cultural factors that emphasize thinness as part of the ideal appearance of women. Imagery often reinforced by the media play into such thinking.
While eating disorders have long been considered primarily a woman's disease, when combined with the lack of male specific eating disorder treatment programs only reinforces this idea. And because some research suggests that those males with eating disorders are predominantly homosexual, some heterosexual men worry about being identified as such if they seek medical help. It is clear that once an eating disorder takes hold, the individual is likely to report low self esteem and an overwhelming need for control. Weight loss and thinness define their sense of self worth.
Possible Causes of Male Anorexia
Genetics – If someone in your immediate family has struggled with anorexia, then your chances of developing the disorder increase greatly. Also, certain personality types are more likely to develop eating disorders than others. For example, perfectionists are more likely to develop an eating disorder than their counterparts. In fact, perfectionism is the leading cause of male anorexia. Perfectionism leads to the desire to be right, accepted, and in control – all of which can be the primary causes of male anorexia. The cause of male anorexia in perfectionists is the actual desire to reach perfection and the erroneous belief that being thin, or perfect, will lead to happiness. High anxiety levels, obsessive-compulsive behaviors and depression are also possible causes of male anorexia.
Brain Activity – Further research has indicated that another cause of male anorexia can be traced back to the brain’s dopamine receptors, which regulate pleasure. When a male with anorexia under eats, the brain dispenses feelings of euphoria. In this way food is used a type of anti-depressant as it relieves any anxious thoughts.
Family – Another emotional factor which causes male anorexia is the presence of family issues. Some males with eating disorders report feeling smothered by their families. Yet others felt abandoned and misunderstood. Still more had parents who overemphasized their physical appearances. In these families, the cause of the male anorexia is the fact that the individual learned to keep doubts, fears, anxieties and imperfections hidden.
Society – Cultural pressures to be thin and the portrayal of thin individuals on television are also underlying causes of male anorexia. The continual barrage of ads containing thin, happy people inevitably sends the message that happiness can only be found by being thin.
Manorexia or Bigorexia? No matter what the term, males with eating disorders aren't seeking help for this problem at nearly the same rate as women are. One of the reasons could be that men aren't as aware of the symptoms of an eating disorder, as women typically are and may attribute their own eating issues to other problems, such as not paying enough attention to diet or drinking too much. Friends and even health professionals may not consider an eating disorder in a man who has lost significant weight, either.
What is certain is that their struggles with body image, eating disorders, extreme dieting, and excessive exercise are real. This issue needs to be brought out in the open. The silence and secrecy about male eating disorders needs to be better understood in order to provide appropriate prevention and treatment for males at risk—and it must be available.
With on-going treatment, support and care, recovery is possible. Left untreated, male anorexia can be devastating and deadly.
Resources include:
The Invisible Man: A Self-help Guide for Men With Eating Disorders, Compulsive Exercise and Bigorexia by John F. Morgan
Making Weight: Healing Men's Conflicts with Food, Weight, and Shape written by M.D. Arnold Andersen and co-authored by Dr Thomas Holbrook, who is an eating disorder expert who shares his personal struggle and recovery.
The National Eating Disorder Information Centre www.nedic.ca
North York General Hospital offers an Eating Disorders Program for adolescents aged 12-18, and a program for adults aged 19 and older as part of a collaborative initiative with the Toronto General Hospital's (TGH) Eating Disorders Program, part of the University Health Network and offers a partial hospitalization program for patients with diagnosed anorexia and bulimia nervosa.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
2011: The Year of the Rabbit
...
It's the Year of the Rabbit: (the New Year begins on February 3rd in 2011). In Chinese Astrology 2011 marks the Year of the Metal Rabbit as an excellent opportunity to dedicate yourself to your personal ideals and desires. Now's the time to go after what you really want and need out of life, love, and your career.
Metal Rabbit: 2011
In Chinese Taoist thought, Metal attributes are considered to be firmness, rigidity, persistence, strength and determination. The metal person is controlling, ambitious, forceful and set in their ways as metal is very strong; and they are self-reliant and prefer to handle their problems alone. The metal person is also materialistic, business oriented and good at organization and stability. However the metal person can also appreciate luxury and enjoy the good things in life. Just as metal can conduct electricity, the Metal person has strong impulses and generative powers and can bring about changes and transformations for those who come into contact with them.
People born in the Year of the Rabbit are articulate, talented, and ambitious. They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. Rabbit people are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. They are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind. Rabbit people seldom lose their temper. They are clever at business and being conscientious, never back out of a contract. They would make good gamblers for they have the uncanny gift of choosing the right thing. However, they seldom gamble, as they are conservative and wise. The rabbit is believed to be one of the happiest signs, with people born in that year renowned for their kindness, reliability and loyalty, though with an air of mystery and propensity to cry.
Here are some of the ways you can celebrate Chinese New Year
• Clean House - Before the New Year arrives, the Chinese consider it very important to give the house a thorough cleaning, and sweep away any bad luck that may have accumulated over the past year.
• Decorate! - Doors and window panes are also often painted red, considered to be a lucky color. In addition, people like to hang cut paper on doors and windows. (Paper cutting is an ancient Chinese art form dating back to the Han dynasty).
• Don't clean for the first few days of the New Year - if you do any sweeping during this time, you risk sweeping away your good luck.
• Offer a Sacrifice to the Kitchen God - Many families have a poster of the Kitchen God in their kitchen. The custom is to offer a ceremonial sacrifice to the Kitchen God, to make sure that he gives a good report on the family's behavior when he returns to heaven. Sticky Cake (Nian Gao) is popular, or children may rub honey on him.
• An important tradition on New Year's Eve is for families to gather together and spend the evening preparing Chinese dumplings (Jiaozi). It is common to hide a coin in one of the dumplings. Whoever gets the dumpling with the coin will supposedly have good luck in the coming year.
• Give out money packets - On New Years day, children receive leisee - red packets decorated with gold symbols and filled with "lucky money".
• Serve festive foods - Throughout the New Years season, certain foods are served because they symbolize abundance and good fortune. In addition to preparing special dishes, tangerines and oranges are often passed out to children and guests, as they symbolize wealth and good luck.
• Prepare a Tray of Togetherness - This is a circular or octagon-shaped tray with eight compartments, each containing symbolic foods such as lotus seeds and lychee nuts are said to provide a sweet beginning to the New Year.
According to legend, the Buddha invited all the animals of the kingdom to come before him. Only 12 showed up. The Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. In gratitude, the Buddha decided to name a year after each of these animals and these twelve animals make up the traditional Chinese zodiac. Those born during that year would inherit some of the personality of that animal and with each year having its own peculiar and unique beliefs some such as it being an auspicious time to give birth or open a new business.
Discovering your sign under the system of Chinese Astrology can open up a wealth of information about the hidden depths of your character. See what this year holds in store for you!
Some famous persons born in the year of the Rabbit include Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, Germaine Greer, Neil Sedaka, Francis Ford Coppola, Michael Jordan and Drew Barrymore. Harry Belafonte, Ingrid Bergman, Lewis Carroll, John Cleese, Peter Falk, Peter Fonda, James Fox, David Frost, Cary Grant, Oliver Hardy, Bob Hope, Whitney Houston, John Hurt, Michael Keaton, John Keats, Julian Lennon, Arthur Miller, Roger Moore, Tatum O'Neal, George Orwell, Neil Simon, Jane Seymour, Dusty Springfield, Sting, Orson Welles, Norman Wisdom.
It's the Year of the Rabbit: (the New Year begins on February 3rd in 2011). In Chinese Astrology 2011 marks the Year of the Metal Rabbit as an excellent opportunity to dedicate yourself to your personal ideals and desires. Now's the time to go after what you really want and need out of life, love, and your career.
Metal Rabbit: 2011
In Chinese Taoist thought, Metal attributes are considered to be firmness, rigidity, persistence, strength and determination. The metal person is controlling, ambitious, forceful and set in their ways as metal is very strong; and they are self-reliant and prefer to handle their problems alone. The metal person is also materialistic, business oriented and good at organization and stability. However the metal person can also appreciate luxury and enjoy the good things in life. Just as metal can conduct electricity, the Metal person has strong impulses and generative powers and can bring about changes and transformations for those who come into contact with them.
People born in the Year of the Rabbit are articulate, talented, and ambitious. They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. Rabbit people are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. They are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind. Rabbit people seldom lose their temper. They are clever at business and being conscientious, never back out of a contract. They would make good gamblers for they have the uncanny gift of choosing the right thing. However, they seldom gamble, as they are conservative and wise. The rabbit is believed to be one of the happiest signs, with people born in that year renowned for their kindness, reliability and loyalty, though with an air of mystery and propensity to cry.
Here are some of the ways you can celebrate Chinese New Year
• Clean House - Before the New Year arrives, the Chinese consider it very important to give the house a thorough cleaning, and sweep away any bad luck that may have accumulated over the past year.
• Decorate! - Doors and window panes are also often painted red, considered to be a lucky color. In addition, people like to hang cut paper on doors and windows. (Paper cutting is an ancient Chinese art form dating back to the Han dynasty).
• Don't clean for the first few days of the New Year - if you do any sweeping during this time, you risk sweeping away your good luck.
• Offer a Sacrifice to the Kitchen God - Many families have a poster of the Kitchen God in their kitchen. The custom is to offer a ceremonial sacrifice to the Kitchen God, to make sure that he gives a good report on the family's behavior when he returns to heaven. Sticky Cake (Nian Gao) is popular, or children may rub honey on him.
• An important tradition on New Year's Eve is for families to gather together and spend the evening preparing Chinese dumplings (Jiaozi). It is common to hide a coin in one of the dumplings. Whoever gets the dumpling with the coin will supposedly have good luck in the coming year.
• Give out money packets - On New Years day, children receive leisee - red packets decorated with gold symbols and filled with "lucky money".
• Serve festive foods - Throughout the New Years season, certain foods are served because they symbolize abundance and good fortune. In addition to preparing special dishes, tangerines and oranges are often passed out to children and guests, as they symbolize wealth and good luck.
• Prepare a Tray of Togetherness - This is a circular or octagon-shaped tray with eight compartments, each containing symbolic foods such as lotus seeds and lychee nuts are said to provide a sweet beginning to the New Year.
According to legend, the Buddha invited all the animals of the kingdom to come before him. Only 12 showed up. The Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. In gratitude, the Buddha decided to name a year after each of these animals and these twelve animals make up the traditional Chinese zodiac. Those born during that year would inherit some of the personality of that animal and with each year having its own peculiar and unique beliefs some such as it being an auspicious time to give birth or open a new business.
Discovering your sign under the system of Chinese Astrology can open up a wealth of information about the hidden depths of your character. See what this year holds in store for you!
Some famous persons born in the year of the Rabbit include Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, Germaine Greer, Neil Sedaka, Francis Ford Coppola, Michael Jordan and Drew Barrymore. Harry Belafonte, Ingrid Bergman, Lewis Carroll, John Cleese, Peter Falk, Peter Fonda, James Fox, David Frost, Cary Grant, Oliver Hardy, Bob Hope, Whitney Houston, John Hurt, Michael Keaton, John Keats, Julian Lennon, Arthur Miller, Roger Moore, Tatum O'Neal, George Orwell, Neil Simon, Jane Seymour, Dusty Springfield, Sting, Orson Welles, Norman Wisdom.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Let's Talk: Unrelenting Standards
Let's talk about unrelenting standards. Yours, not mine.
Did it ever occur to you that I am operating to the best of my ability given the flawed training?
I just happen to subscribe to a philosophy that enables me to do the best I can with what I have where I am.
I showed up.
I contributed.
Of course, it was not enough.
Can't say I agree with being undermined before really given a chance.
Might explain the high staff turnover.
Might explain that being unique is not a requirement.
Truth is, I can never be assimilated into a culture of unrelenting standards.
Perfectionism at it's extreme destroys morale. Mine, theirs and eventually yours.
Did it ever occur to you that I am operating to the best of my ability given the flawed training?
I just happen to subscribe to a philosophy that enables me to do the best I can with what I have where I am.
I showed up.
I contributed.
Of course, it was not enough.
Can't say I agree with being undermined before really given a chance.
Might explain the high staff turnover.
Might explain that being unique is not a requirement.
Truth is, I can never be assimilated into a culture of unrelenting standards.
Perfectionism at it's extreme destroys morale. Mine, theirs and eventually yours.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Sharing Wisdom from Julia Cameron
Writing is alchemy. Writing that poem, moving out of that
cramped and cerebral space of bitterness into the capacious heart,
I am no longer a victim, an enemy, an injured party.
I am what I am: a writer.
Writing is medicine. It is appropriate antidote to injury.
It is an appropriate companion for any difficult change.
Writing about the change, we can help it along, lean into it, cooperate.
Writing allows us to rewrite our lives.
Thanks Julia Cameron.
...
I believe this to be true.
cramped and cerebral space of bitterness into the capacious heart,
I am no longer a victim, an enemy, an injured party.
I am what I am: a writer.
Writing is medicine. It is appropriate antidote to injury.
It is an appropriate companion for any difficult change.
Writing about the change, we can help it along, lean into it, cooperate.
Writing allows us to rewrite our lives.
Thanks Julia Cameron.
...
I believe this to be true.
Monday, June 14, 2010
This writer's need to read
You've heard the cliche that reading is like breathing.
I concur. Wholeheartedly.
Although not all would agree with this. Being immersed in words, literature, the exchange of ideas and thoughts is therapeutic. It's cathartic. It's necessary.
Some might say it's escapism. True, could be viewed as such.
I'd be the first to admit picking up a book is definitely preferable to some social experiences.
As a child, I had many questions. In those days, there was not much access to finding answers simply by asking. I was shushed a lot for thinking out loud.
It was a time when children were seen and not heard.
Books gave me solace. They enabled my learning. Provided answers to deep questions. Offered explanations, helped me find meaning.
Sure, some reading is for pure entertainment.
Somewhere to unwind and get lost in. Stories allow us to process feelings, wonderment and can offer hope or explore the darker side of the human condition.
As a voracious reader, there is never such thing as enough books.
My home is filled with literature.
I love this quote by Jorge Luis Borges: "I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library".
I second that motion. What are you reading currently?
My small stack of readables includes: The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss, Welcome to Your Crisis by Laura Day, The Laws of Lifetime Growth by Dan Sullivan and Catherine Nomura.
Open on my e-reader: Linchpin by Seth Godin and The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman.
I concur. Wholeheartedly.
Although not all would agree with this. Being immersed in words, literature, the exchange of ideas and thoughts is therapeutic. It's cathartic. It's necessary.
Some might say it's escapism. True, could be viewed as such.
I'd be the first to admit picking up a book is definitely preferable to some social experiences.
As a child, I had many questions. In those days, there was not much access to finding answers simply by asking. I was shushed a lot for thinking out loud.
It was a time when children were seen and not heard.
Books gave me solace. They enabled my learning. Provided answers to deep questions. Offered explanations, helped me find meaning.
Sure, some reading is for pure entertainment.
Somewhere to unwind and get lost in. Stories allow us to process feelings, wonderment and can offer hope or explore the darker side of the human condition.
As a voracious reader, there is never such thing as enough books.
My home is filled with literature.
I love this quote by Jorge Luis Borges: "I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library".
I second that motion. What are you reading currently?
My small stack of readables includes: The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss, Welcome to Your Crisis by Laura Day, The Laws of Lifetime Growth by Dan Sullivan and Catherine Nomura.
Open on my e-reader: Linchpin by Seth Godin and The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman.
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