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Happy Renew Year
Year of the Tiger, Heart of the Tiger
 
by Michael Abedin
 
It’s said in China that long ago, the Buddha – possibly realizing that Chinese restaurants would one day need something to put on placemats – called all the animals together.  Twelve responded, and each received its very own year as a reward. That year, and anyone born in it, would personify all the characteristics of its animal caretaker.
            The Chinese lunar calendar begins on a date based on the Winter Equinox, so it changes each year.  If you were born in January or February, do a little research instead of relying on that placemat – you may not be the critter you thought you were.  The auspicious date this year is February 14 – Valentine’s Day, and the first day of the Year of the Tiger. 
 
Quickie shopping tips –  
Guys:  If you do your Valentine shopping at the lingerie store, go with the tiger stripes.
Girls:  Do your Valentine shopping at the lingerie store.  Go with the tiger stripes.
 
The Tiger represents a unique set of qualities that don’t always make the short list of fashionable spiritual attributes.  Tigers are fierce, proud, and noble.  They’re solitary hunters, territorial and predatory.
They’re also the largest of the big cats – and they have no fear.
 
Fear less.
Fearlessness isn’t just the lack of fear, isn’t just surrounding yourself with things that make you feel safe.  Fearlessness – courage, if you will – is what you want to find when you don’t feel safe.
Sometimes you just have to make the decision to move forward, even when there’s no good indication that it’s the safest thing to do – and that’s one of the key Tiger traits, for good or ill.  When Tigers move, they move with no thought of compromise or loss. In the Chinese martial arts, they represent power and ferocity, the physical strength and fighting spirit to prevail against any odds. 
Call it reckless abandon – or, maybe, calculated abandon.  The Japanese Samurai called it isagi yoku, a state of mind that gave them the ability to move forward in the face of death, without regret or hesitation. 
All of these are attributes of fearlessness – and fearlessness and abandon (reckless, calculated, or both) are sometimes the key to love.  True love, unconditional love, isn’t always safe, and it’s not for the faint of heart. 
Sometimes, it requires the heart of a Tiger.