Chinese-American Year of the (Wild) Horses: Blessings and a Tribute

The Chinese Year of the Horse has recently begun, and the next time this could  happen would be in twelve years. So, many who were born in a Year of the Horse (at least 12 years ago) are very excited about 2014.  To learn more about the Chinese Zodiac, you can Travel China Guide or Google(v.) it.

Horses are considered by some Chinese as "energetic, bright, warm-hearted, intelligent and able." I borrowed those adjectives from Travel China Guide because of all the ways I've heard horses described tonight, I like these the most, particularly the latter two: intelligent and able.  "Able" in my mind connotes humility to accompany one's abilities. Perhaps, though, Americans  primarily see horses as wild and free-spirited. All good things.

Tonight, at Memphis' Chinese New Year celebration hosted by the Greater Memphis United Chinese Association, the opening speaker said this is a year many people will make big decisions and changes for their lives. Whatever you believe about the Chinese Zodiac and the Year of the Horse, I hope you have an amazing year with lots of joyful surprises.

While I was at the show tonight (which was awesome--it really was one of the most well-ran and entertaining New Year shows I've ever seen!), I was thinking about the meaning of the year and the fact that my awesome wife "is a horse." All of a sudden, I remembered a song I used to love to listen to and play along with back in the days that I was really "into" songwriting.

I  love a well written song. One of my favorites is by Ray LaMontagne: "All the Wild Horses." It's a tune to listen to with eyes closed, meditating on the lyrics. I found a nice video put together and shared by Sandy Elmore, the woman behind the blog, Wild in the Pryors. She captured some beautiful images of the wild horses up on Pryor Pountain in Montana. The video looks great, and I'm glad it includes Ray's song.

The lyrics mostly go like this:

"All the wild horses--

all the wild horses, tethered with tears in their eyes--

May no man's touch ever tame you.

May no man's reigns ever chain you,

and may no man's weight

every lay freight your soul.

And as for the clouds,

just let them roll.

Roll away, roll away."

May your dark clouds roll away and our shared Year of the Horse 2014 be blessed with freedom in Christ.