September 7, 1999

 

The Magnificent Ox and Me
 
Do you consider yourself stubborn or calm? If you do, you might be an
ox. Proudly, the ox is one of the 12 animals, in the Chinese Lunar
Calendar. They represent different years since Buddha decided to have a race, to
figure out the order of which animal would represent each year.
Believers of Buddhism, and others consider that your animal symbolizes your human
character. Your year of birth determines which animal you are.
Looking at the ox's character, many of the attributes apply to me, but a few do
not.
Mostly all of my family and friends consider me a very dependable
person. Completing a favor for someone, like recording T.V shows for my sister
or a friend, is something I do often. Relying on me, my parents consider me
to do my own work and ask them if I need help. They never check to see
what homework, or projects I have, or if I have accomplished them.
Responsible, and devoted is the kind of person I am, my parents know and understand
I will always complete my job. I am also a very active person, my whole
week is booked with after school activities like playing soccer, taking part
in jazz band, and doing numerous other extra cirricular activities.
Enjoying doing many things at once I participate in many sports and play the
saxophone, but at the same time can manage my workload. As an honest
person, my friends think that I have a lot of integrity. Sticking up
for myself, and other people no matter what, is something I do well.
Suppose someone makes fun of me, my religion, or my friends, I give them
something back or ignore them. Also, I never tell another's secret, and usually
do not gossip behind someone's back, since I know it will backfire on you,
and it is a senseless thing to do anyway.
 
Qualities of an ox, which are not true about me, are that I am
inflexible. Attentively, I will always listen to someone else's idea, in
discussions I pay close attention to what other people are saying. If they make a
good argument, I may easily agree with their idea more than mine. Changing
my plans to suit someone else's with not many complaints, is what most
people like about me. Such as, if I want to go rollerblading, but my friend
wants to swim, I will say we can go swimming and rollerblade some other time.

Relaxed ox's may have uncluttered minds, but mine is very scattered.
Being paranoid, I am always thinking about homework, planning projects in my
head and so on. Reasoning and worrying constantly about random things is an
everyday process. Distressing about finishing a project, getting A's and if
I have studied hard enough are the top questions that disarray my mind.
Finally, the last trait which is the opposite of me, is being naïve, I
am not always positive and can be very negative sometimes. Sarcastically,
I put myself down by saying I am terrible at sports, and always consider
myself to loose at athletic games. Although, I am careful in certain
surroundings, and take karate to be more aware, and street smart.

A characteristic, which I would like to change or improve, is being
stubborn. My mom and friends hate me because I am bossy sometimes, and
will not change my mind so easily all the time. If I really want to achieve
a goal, I will not give up for anything until I get what I demand.
Loosing my temper continuously, is a trait I would not mind getting rid of, I
shout at people in rage, and do not even know what I am saying. I have hurt
many people inside and out with my fierce temper. Cruelly, I have said and
done such bad things with my attitude that I have even made my mom and
sister cry before. A quality I would like to improve on is being a charitable
person. I would like to take part in more types of volunteer
work, like spending time at an orphanage, and I want to become a more
giving, and sharing person than I am now.

Bountiful amounts of the ox 's aspects describe me, but some of them
are the complete opposite of me. Mostly all of them describe me
descriptively such as being active. Others have nothing to do with me, but might
describe another ox. There are some good ox traits I would like to improve on
and some I would like to throw away. Further more, I do not believe in the
entire context of the Chinese Lunar Calendar, but it's exiting to think
about, and learn in regard to your animal to, to see if its character
matches you.