I’m so grateful to you for sharing this. I’m Trinidadian, and my grandmother was Chinese (born of Chinese immigrants to Trinidad). Growing up, however, we didn’t celebrate Chinese holidays. This year, for whatever reason, I’ve been wanting to learn more about my Chinese heritage. Apocryphal or not, this explanation of the Chinese zodiac is deeply helpful. So thank you! ❤️
What wonderful stories explaining your heritages culture. Thank you for sharing and Happy New Year, may peace also mark your comings and goings, and all go well with you also.
"None of this was intended to be about me or the singular you or any person in isolation. It has always been about us. It has always been about urging each of us—all of us—to be the best version of ourselves for the sake of the world."
This is a truth that applies to so much happening within our societies. I feel it applies to all great wisdom/teachings/philosophies/religions--they seek to create community because true isolation is death. Even being by oneself in nature, exercise, or some other sort of practice calms us so we can be the best version of ourselves for the sake the world.
Thank you for this today; it has been especially thought-provoking for me.
Beautiful Jeff! I loved learning about the pairs and their meanings. I know nothing of this rich history and feel so glad that you shared it with us. I love this line." It’s all about the fragile, fiercely beautiful whole." We do need each other.
Peace to you in this New Year in all your travels.
An online friend of mine -- not asian but very steeped in Taoist arts -- has studied Chinese astrology and applies it's principles to individuals. I agree that a lot of superficial fortune telling based solely on the sign of one's birth year is a bunch of hokum but, ya know -- baby, bathwater. It seems to me that my friend's in depth style of chart reading is a rich and storied art. It's your opinion that this is not a valid part of Chinese culture?
It was so great to read this since my Chinese New Year knowledge has basically come from paper menus in Chinese restaurants. I hope you have a blessed new year filled with all the desires of your heart.
This brought such mixed emotions. Joy in the sharing of the dragon lore, grief in the family traditions as my father passed this year and so much with him, peace in the cadence of your words and truth telling.
Thank you for sharing the wonderful stories about Zhou Enlai's thoughts on the zodiacs! I never know they are paired up and I like your connections of them to the balanced family and society, representing the Chinese philosophy. 龙年大吉！
I’m so grateful to you for sharing this. I’m Trinidadian, and my grandmother was Chinese (born of Chinese immigrants to Trinidad). Growing up, however, we didn’t celebrate Chinese holidays. This year, for whatever reason, I’ve been wanting to learn more about my Chinese heritage. Apocryphal or not, this explanation of the Chinese zodiac is deeply helpful. So thank you! ❤️
What wonderful stories explaining your heritages culture. Thank you for sharing and Happy New Year, may peace also mark your comings and goings, and all go well with you also.
Blessing on your trip to North Carolina.
I have never heard these stories before nor ever knew the meaning of the Chinese New Year animals. Thank you for enlightening me as you so often do.
"None of this was intended to be about me or the singular you or any person in isolation. It has always been about us. It has always been about urging each of us—all of us—to be the best version of ourselves for the sake of the world."
This is a truth that applies to so much happening within our societies. I feel it applies to all great wisdom/teachings/philosophies/religions--they seek to create community because true isolation is death. Even being by oneself in nature, exercise, or some other sort of practice calms us so we can be the best version of ourselves for the sake the world.
Thank you for this today; it has been especially thought-provoking for me.
Thank you for this, and Happy New Year!
Thanks for this explanation about the Chinese Zodiac! Your newsletter is a great blessing to me and I am always excited when I see it in my email.
Beautiful Jeff! I loved learning about the pairs and their meanings. I know nothing of this rich history and feel so glad that you shared it with us. I love this line." It’s all about the fragile, fiercely beautiful whole." We do need each other.
Peace to you in this New Year in all your travels.
An online friend of mine -- not asian but very steeped in Taoist arts -- has studied Chinese astrology and applies it's principles to individuals. I agree that a lot of superficial fortune telling based solely on the sign of one's birth year is a bunch of hokum but, ya know -- baby, bathwater. It seems to me that my friend's in depth style of chart reading is a rich and storied art. It's your opinion that this is not a valid part of Chinese culture?
I did not expect to find such a word in my inbox today! I love the zodiac idea of being in robust relationship as the ingredient for flourishing.
It was so great to read this since my Chinese New Year knowledge has basically come from paper menus in Chinese restaurants. I hope you have a blessed new year filled with all the desires of your heart.
Thank you for educating!
Jeff,
This brought such mixed emotions. Joy in the sharing of the dragon lore, grief in the family traditions as my father passed this year and so much with him, peace in the cadence of your words and truth telling.
A truly blessed New Year to you❤️
So lovely to read. Thank you Jeff
Thank you so much for these posts.
Thank you for sharing the wonderful stories about Zhou Enlai's thoughts on the zodiacs! I never know they are paired up and I like your connections of them to the balanced family and society, representing the Chinese philosophy. 龙年大吉！