Happy Chinese new year’s eve.

I was doing a bit of reading earlier about the Chinese New Year (tomorrow), its corresponding celebrations and about The Year of the Dragon. I read that the dragon will bring optimism and hope for better times ahead in 2012. Associated with high energy and prosperity, the dragon is not just the only mythical creature in the zodiac, it’s also the one considered to be the most powerful of the 12 signs.

Cool — sounds like it’s going to be a vibrant year, right?

I continued reading and discovered that my birth year, 1976, was also the year of the dragon. Never one to pass up an opportunity to be entertained, I read a bit about my Chinese zodiac.

Dragons are the free spirits of the zodiac, but are prone to tension headaches because they like to take risks when working — most often solo (apparently we dragons prefer to be alone). The dragon feels that rules and regulations are for other people; restrictions blow out the creative spark that is ready to flame into life. Dragons’ generous personalities give them the ability to attract friends, but they can be rather solitary people at heart. A dragon’s self-sufficiency can mean that he or she has no need for close bonds with other people. Even though they are willing to aid when necessary, their pride can often impede them from accepting the same kind of help from others. Dragons prefer leading to being led, enjoy jobs in which they can express their creativity and, while they also give into love, they don’t give up their independence. Dragons prefer to live by their own rules, are unafraid of challenges and passionate about what they do; unfortunately, this passion and enthusiasm often leaves dragons feeling exhausted and, interestingly, unfulfilled.

A few words that are said to describe dragons are innovative, enterprising, flexible, brave, passionate, conceited, quick-tempered, unanticipated and scrutinizing.

I realize not everyone finds entertainment (that’s a key word for this post) in the zodiac. But one of the things I find interesting is that for as much or as little you may feel you have in common with “your sign,” it can still spark a thought about who you really are — the same way going to see a movie may inspire pause and personal reflection. There’s great, widespread value in entertainment.

Am I all of the above? No. Am I part? For sure — the same way I’m sure other “non-dragon” people are. It’s fun to think about; not meant to hang one’s hat on, but entertaining. And if you allow yourself to be entertained, and then allow yourself to have fun with all the things your sign says you are and implies that you aren’t, something really neat can happen: your sense of self-awareness can be heightened. If you’re not feeling one of your descriptors, you can change. Right? Easier said than done, I’m sure, and you may not even feel the need since this is all supposedly “entertainment.” But change is change, regardless of its origin.

And change can be good.  

Some say that dragons are extroverts. I wouldn’t consider myself one, but sometimes I wish I had more of that in my nature. So perhaps I can take a few tiny steps in that direction — and therein lies the value of entertainment.

Tonight I am thankful for the little things that can inspire increased self-awareness and the desire to make tiny changes that can add up to good. Here’s to a good year — whether it’s the year of your sign, a new beginning or simply the year of “you.” Make it all that you dream.