This year is the year of the Ox, also known as the buffalo. Back home in Vietnam, the buffalo is a simple of strength, hard work ing with a focus on moving forward to complete the job. Our ancestors said that when God made the buffalo, it was created solely for the purpose of clearing the rice patties of grass so that the farmers could spread the seeds to grow rice. So He made the buffalo trong, focused, very hard working and only knows to move forward, not backwards, which is one of the traits we humans sometimes lack. If you ever try to walk the buffalo backwards, it will turn around so that it's head is always moving forward. :)
Images of the buffalo are ingraned in the Vietnamese culture in poetry, stories and art. If you have a chance to visit Vietnam you will find this to be true. Back then Vietnam was very much a vast argriculture farm land and almost every house hold was growing rice, sugar cane, pigs or cows. Growing up, a little boy's first job would be to ride the buffalo through the farm so it could clear the land of grass. Often this would take an entire day so the boy would sleep on the buffalo's back, sometimes the buffalo would take the boy back home before he was awake. I didn't have the priviledge of riding the buffalo because my grandparents were growing pigs instead so I had a piglet for a pet growing up. Those were fond memories that I cherish for always.
On this occassion, I'd like to wish everyone a wonderful Lunar New Year, the year of the OX. May you find joy in hard work, focus in your goals and always move forward like the Ox to achieve happiness and success!
Love,
Lisa
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