Year of the Dragon 2012

It is generally the Lunar New Year for the oriental part of the world, although we name this festival differently according to our various nuanced cultures and languages. In Malaysia, it is known as the "Chinese New Year" because here it is the Chinese Malaysians who celebrate it.

I am a dragon according to the Chinese zodiac. It means at the mark of this new year, I have lived through three full cycles of the twelve zodiac animals and I am 36 years old. Of course, my family doesn't really believe in the superstitious dictates of the Chinese zodiac signs. But offspring of the dragon zodiac are generally perceived by the Chinese community to have very good standing in life, because the dragon is often seen to be tenacious, determined, hardworking, confident, intelligent, and therefore successful.

However, having grown up in an Evangelical Protestant background, the dragon was often seen in negative light because in the book of Revelation it represented the devil himself. My grandfather gave me a Chinese name that had the character of the dragon in it (龍), written in the traditional script at that because the word in its traditional form looked more ferocious. Because of this, my pastors often suggested to my mother and me to change my Chinese name so that it wouldn't be so "evil".

Here I am 36 years on, now a Catholic (therefore being surrounded by people who're more friendly to the character of the dragon). I doubt I've done anything significant damage to the world by being a dragon kid. At least not yet.

Situations in life often cause people to expect either extreme positives or extreme negatives to stem forth from what they perceive us to be. But within each of us is an immense capacity for both good and bad, and I think I have been equally responsible for both the good and the bad that have come from my life. However, ultimately it is one's choice to decide if one will be more good than bad, more positive than negative, and more holy than sinful. We are neither really helped not aversely bound by the perceived power of any zodiac sign

So for the rest of this year until the next new year, here's wishing you a year of correct choices and wise directions so that you may grow in stature and wisdom. May the favour of the Lord be upon you and all you hold dear.