With Easter just around the corner and thoughts of Peter Cotton Tail, it seems appropriate to remind everyone that 2011 is actually recognized as Year of the Rabbit, at least, in the way of Asian astrology. For everyone hoping to keep their business hopping in 2011, this year flourishes with new prospects and boundless potential. The carrot-munchers among us can equally celebrate the departing of 2010’s tumultuous Year of the Tiger, which certainly wasn’t a good year for people named Tiger, maybe all cats in general. The Year of the Rabbit, however, offers promise, if not reason to pause for reflection as to our own state of rabbiticity; and how we might best harness the hare-like qualities of our own inner-bunnies to make a beneficial difference in business. As career paths go, wouldn’t it be better to be all hippity hoppity on the bunny trail as opposed to feeling like we’re falling further down the rabbit hole?
In Asian mythology rabbits are very revered, even sacred. The rabbit is the 4th creature represented in their zodiac chart. According to legend, the animal’s ranking was determined by a race initiated by the Jade Emperor. The rabbit is said to have finished in fourth place. In Cayman (where a critter that is called a rabbit more resembles a big rat) it might be fitting to note that the rat was first in line. It achieved this by pairing with a cat and the two convinced the ox to carry them on its back across the river. Along the way, the rat pushed the cat off into the water and ran down the ox’s snout just prior to crossing the finish line, securing distinction as first place winner. Rabbits are not characterized as being so exploitative. And while only finishing in fourth place, it did beat the dragon, horse, sheep, snake, monkey and others.
In Western tradition, rabbits don’t always fare so well in races. That’s the case in a story about the rabbit and the turtle wherein the turtle’s slow and steady rate ultimately outmatched the rabbit. Sometimes, it isn’t a matter of how fast one can work, but the consistency and determination underlying their efforts. This rabbit was so overconfident in his ability to perform, he failed to recognize his competition was catching up and overtaking. By the time he realized what happened, it was too late to do anything about it. No… we don’t want to be that kind of rabbit. The story has less to do with rate of motion as it does attitude and discipline, but it’s a good reminder, that no matter how quick and agile you are, trust there are always turtles, not to mention other animals, striving to beat you.
One Asian myth imparts that rabbits can bring what they most fear to themselves. This is illustrated in a tale involving a wolf on the hunt. While searching for food, the wolf hears a frightened rabbit hiding in the brush. Though unable to see the rabbit, each time he came within its proximity, the rabbit would cry out in fear and this directed the wolf to the hiding spot… CHOMP! That seems like a good reminder; no matter how bad a day you’re having in business; be careful how loud or who you complain to because there are wolves out there very content to make your anguish much worse.
We want to be more like B’rer Rabbit who always had a contingency plan when confronted with danger. He used tar and a briar patch to outsmart B’rer Fox, and likewise, sometimes the solutions to our problems, however sticky or painful, are better than other consequences. Good rabbits plan, are cognizant of alternatives and should be, rascally, or “Wascally” in the terms of Elmer Fudd.
Which leads to perhaps the most recognized quote ever attributed to a rabbit – What’s up Doc? The expression will take on different meaning depending on the generation you belong to. Consider that as of January this year, in the U.S. alone, there are more than 10,000 Baby Boomers who will reach the age of 65 every single day. The numbers will rise by 10,000 a day, every day, for the next 19 years. Some studies show that more than 30 percent of investors in their 60’s have as much as 80 percent of their 401k plans invested in equities, another 36 percent are reported to not contribute anything at all to their retirement. Healthcare costs, unemployment, corporate downsizing... these all speak to “What’s Up”… but the more important question, and answer, for us to focus is… “What are we doing about it?” Planning, preparing and providing for the future can help you avoid some of the lamentations of life’s looney tunes.
People born in the Year of the Rabbit are said to be articulate, talented, and ambitious. Traditionally, they are said to be admired, trusted, and financially lucky. They are clever at business and being conscientious, never backing out of a contract. They are said to make good gamblers for they possess the uncanny gift of choosing the right thing. One legend accords that a particular rabbit’s choice helped to ensure that it would achieve eternal fame that is recognizable whenever one looks at the moon. We’ve all heard about the man on the moon, but do you know about the rabbit?
According to the tale, a divine, old master (disguised as a beggar) plead with animals of the land to bring him nourishment. While the monkey went about collecting fruits and the otter set out in search of fish, a jackal is said to have stolen a lizard and pot of milk curd. But the rabbit, in a show of true sacrifice, told the master to “Eat me” and threw himself in a fire which had been built. Rather than being burned, the rabbit was raised-up for reverence, having his likeness traced on the moon for all to see… the rabbit’s outline remains even today.
 |
| Asian folklore claims the moon contains an outline of a rabbit mixing a pot of the elixir of immortality. |
Granted, most of us are not interested in that kind of notoriety. We do, however, want to avoid being burned. And the point here is that sometimes, for your business to succeed, you must be prepared to make sacrifices and fully throw yourself into what you are doing. Ironically, it seems that making money and substantial profits has overshadowed the motives of so many who enter business. The greater truth, however, is that business is really about solving problems… fulfilling the needs of people. Someone has a particular skill or talent, be it as a carpenter, mechanic, accountant or other. Along the way, a decision is made to put that vocational ability to use helping people. Sure, there’s nothing wrong with making money for doing a good job, but that’s not the point. More often than not, enterprises are established out of a determination to solve the problems of others, and it is important that we never lose sight of that purpose when we engage in business. If you’re only in it for the money, your resulting reputation is more likely to be that of the jackal as opposed to the very revered rabbit.
Here’s hoping your business happily hops along to success in 2011.
