2015, the Year of the Sheep, a harbinger of Luck and Positive Energy
I don’t know if it was just me but the Year of the Horse, 2014, galloped by swiftly.
As the old saying goes, “time flies when you’re having fun.”
I hope you had a fun and actionable horse year as well and that you snatched the reins of all the opportunities and challenges that stood in your lane. If you did, you have surely laid a strong 2015 foundation for growth and prosperity.
The Year of the Sheep, which begins February 19, 2015 and “baa”s through February 7, 2016, will maintain the horse’s momentum!
The Sheep is one of the Chinese’s favorite animals for good reason: the promise of luck and positive energy for one. The Sheep’s Chinese character is Yang.
The character for Luck is Xiang which contains Yang. Notice the similar pronunciations.
Actually, the sound of Yang is also the same as yet another Chinese character which translates to the positive energy in the universe. Therefore, with the sheep in your corner, no excuses for not building upon the accomplishments of the previous year.
Don’t mistake 2015’s Sheep for last Year’s Horse.
The horse was all action and it implored us to run our ideas straight out of the gate.
With the sheep’s gentle nature, however, this is a year meant for fine-tuning, nurturing and massaging. During a high impact year like 2014, it was easy to ignore some of the finer details so we could power through the finish line.
Some of you may have begun new businesses or expanded on existing ones. Others may have changed careers completely. It was exciting!
But now it’s 2015. Time to take a step back and assess so you—no, we— can reap the benefits of what’s already been put in motion.
Health
Health comes first this year. If you nourish your body and mind you’ll find other aspects of your life flourishing as well. Look toward long-term health goals. Find yourself a good Shepard (trainer) and/or team up with other flock members with similar goals. Place an emphasis on stress reduction. Think simple: daily meditation — morning or evening — restorative yoga, spa treatments, leisurely strolls, etc.
Relationships
The Year of the Sheep is great for building upon existing relationships, both personal and business. Take Stephen Covey’s advice found in the Habits of Highly Effective People – Habit 4: Think win/win!
This is more than a technique, it’s a philosophy. Think “Win-Win” when it comes to effectively managing our relationships.
See a video summary of the Win Win concept (along with the remaining 6 habits of Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People) by my 9-year-old daughter, Ava Taing:
On a personal level, the win/win philosophy is all about sharing and trusting. That’s the nature of the Sheep.
Bask in the admiration and appreciation of those you hold dear. Don’t think of your reward, but rather of what you can offer. Hone your empathy and compassion sensibilities. You will see the benefits reflected in all your relationships!
Business
In a Sheep Year you’ll need to deftly herd your Business. That means mind your own business by focusing on the three P’s: People, Process and Product.
This is Marcus Lemonis’ philosophy on running a successful business from the reality TV series “The Profit.”
His advice:
“Stay focused, work hard, know your numbers, and be disciplined. If you do those things and take care of your people, the likelihood of being successful is very, very high.”
Career
Be a wise Sheep when it comes to your career. Seek a good Shepard (in this case a mentor) who can show you the way. Also get creative about ways to work less. That doesn’t mean ignore your responsibilities, but be more efficient. Hold your relationships higher than personal recognition. Who you know is more important than how much you know.
You don’t need a fortune cookie. The prosperity of the Sheep is at hand!
________
Trivia Lovers may appreciate this: In the past century, the following years fell within the Year of the Sheep: 1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, and 2003 and 2015. Some of the most successful people we’ve pedestalled were born in Sheep years, and they embody the virtues. Mark Twain, Muhammad Ali, Barbara Walters, Nicole Kidman, Jamie Foxx, and Julia Roberts are all sheep.
- 2015, the Year of the Sheep, a harbinger of Luck and Positive Energy - February 20, 2015
- The Year of the Horse - January 30, 2014
- Chinese New Year: Year of the Dragon | 2012 - January 23, 2012
