I don't usually pay much attention to the animals of the Chinese zodiac calendar, until recently when I read that 2014 will be the year of the horse, and I looked into it.
'The spirit of the horse is recognized to be the Chinese people's ethos, making unremitting efforts to improve themselves. It is energetic, bright, warmhearted, intelligent and able.'
I'm not sure what sparked my fascination with horses. I didn't grow up on a farm and have only been riding a handful of times. I rarely get to spend time with them, yet I'm drawn to them. When I read that this year belongs to them, I began to think that it might be monumental.
I suppose we always hope for this at the beginning of January. We reflect on the year that's come to an end and prepare to hit the restart button. What do I want to accomplish? How can this year be better? What will this year hold?
This New Year's Day, I felt a little differently. Fortunate to stay at my dear friend's cottage for the week after Christmas, I woke up on Salt Spring Island wanting to find a little peace in the day itself, instead of thinking about the future of the year ahead. I got up, prepared breakfast for a dozen of my friends and then suggested to Jess that we take the kayaks out for a paddle.
We hauled the kayaks down to the beach, laughing at our awkward ways and the challenge of keeping our running shoes out of the water. We paddled out into the bay. The ocean was like a mirror, creating perfect reflections of our red life jackets and Jess' cerulean toque.
Every so often I have experiences living on the west coast where I just can't believe how beautiful it is. I am in a dream. Floating in the Pacific Ocean on the first day of a new year, I was romanced by the landscape and my imagination.
This will be the year of the horse and all I desire are more moments that leave me feeling thankful, energetic, warmhearted and able.
