Getting Down To Monkey Business

Kung Hei Fat Choi!!

It’s the Chinese New Year and this is the start of the Year of the Monkey.

Living in a city with such a large Asian population, it is difficult to ignore the Chinese calendar and the celebration of the new year that seems to go on for a month.

… but I have mixed feelings about the Year of the Monkey.

I was born in a Monkey year, and based on my (admittedly limited) research, Monkey years are not necessarily kind to Monkeys.  I just have to look back on the 2 most recent Monkey years – 2004 and 1992 – to realize how true that is.

They were both years of great turbulence in my life.  There were significant upheavals in both my career and personal life.  My self-confidence took a beating and more than a few tears were shed along the way.  For every step I moved forward, it seemed I was pushed back three.

Even worse, 2004 was the year we almost lost our oldest son.  While he bears the significant physical scars from that year, I still suffer from emotional scars that don’t seem to heal.  Without question, 2004 was THE WORST year of my entire life.

That doesn’t exactly set the stage for feeling excited about another Monkey year … and I don’t seem to be the only one who feels that way.

In previous years, homes in my neighbourhood would be decorated with large red banners for the new year.  This year, I’ve seen nothing.  Could it be that everyone is reluctant to attract the attention of the mischievous anthropoid?

In 6 weeks I will be 5 Monkeys old and I’m trying to be brave about it, but I’m really hoping the 2016 Monkey is kinder and gentler than his predecessors.   If not, I don’t intend to go down without a fight.