As the year 2009 falls on the “Year of the Ox”, many Chinese and non-Chinese are hopeful that this year will give them luck especially for those born this year.

I read in the Sunday Lifestyle page of the Philippine Star last January 25, 2009 about the noted Feng Shui master Joseph Chau saying that 2009 is still a good year for the Philippines despite global recession but the bad news is that this is the last year in the “good” cycle that started for the country in 2004. His predictions include that this is a lucky year to get married, a good year for the banking industry. He also predicted that financial situation will not recover until after three years and that OFWs might be laid off or their contracts terminated.

As I reflect on his predictions, I agree that he may have some truths in it because we already experienced global recessions even before the coming of the year 2009. And the worst, is at the start of 2009 more companies are closing and even multi-nationals. With regards to getting married, I don’t believe in luck in marrying because marriages need to be worked out in order to be successful.

As I research on the nature of people born on the year of the ox, I was impressed to note on its characteristics such as hardworking, strong, down to earth, reliable, courageous, quiet, loyal, intelligent, helpful, self-confident, easy-going and brilliant in organizing.

Sometimes maybe stubborn and not open to changes and new ideas. I wonder how can people have these good characteristics without undergoing good breeding from good parents Do people automatically become hardworking without setting examples to them when they were young. I still believe that leaders are not born, they are made despite some people describe others as natural born leaders Anyway, be it in the YEAR OF THE OX or NOT, so long people work hard for a living, have a sense of determination to reach his goals and ambition, honest, reliable, have dignity and respect for self and others, I believe that we will have a good or abundant life, a fruitful career, a good country to live in where peace and love abounds.