Three Quarters of a Century

Fifty years ago today, on my 25^th birthday, I walked into my office in the early morning and was greeted by my secretary with “Good morning, Mike! How does it feel to be a quarter of a century old?”

Until that cheerful query, I had still considered myself very young. She ensured that from that birthday on I had a slightly different perspective.

Today I’m three quarters of a century old, but I choose to regard myself as having entered late middle age. Possibly very late middle age. I certainly can’t carouse with the same impunity that I could when I was 25, but I still recover from the occasional bout of excess relatively quickly, and despite some health and mobility issues, on the whole I’m healthier and in better shape than I probably deserve to be.

I appreciate all of the friends and relatives who are still around and wishing me a happy birthday, and I remember with fondness those who have left us too early.

Cheers to us all. And here’s to another 50 years or so of adventure.

Wisdom and Passion

 May all of my relatives, friends, and other readers have a very happy, healthy, exciting, and prosperous Year of the Snake.

 Although I’m not a believer in astrology, Oriental, Occidental, or otherwise, I do find the lore amusing and intriguing, and consider it perhaps worthwhile to consider the legendary characteristics of the year's representative animal, with a view toward emulating the strengths and avoiding the weaknesses with which it’s associated. 

The Chinese zodiac animals are associated in different years with different elements, and this time around the snake is the “wood snake”.

 The snake in Chinese mythology  and astrology is said to bestow on those born in its year sensitivity, curiosity, wisdom, and competence. They are supposed to be endowed with charm and a cool, mysterious demeanor, but with natural wariness concealing considerable passion.

On the other hand, they may also have to struggle against their ingrained skepticism and a tendency to laziness.

The wood snake is said to focus especially on resilience, growth, and long-term planning ability.

In the coming year, let’s embrace our sensitivity, use curiosity to increase our wisdom, and balance our charm and passion in our relationships with others.

 I fervently hope that the coming year brings light where there has been darkness, peace where there has been strife, understanding where there has been ignorance, and justice where there has been iniquity.

 May the coming year be better by far than any that have preceded it, for each of you and for those you hold dear, and indeed for all of us.

Happy New Year and joyous holidays!

Image by: mirrima on freepik.com