This year is the year of the tiger; a year of living dangerously and striving always to protect yourself , your family and your business from fire, thieves and ghosts! For many it has been a tiring year of chasing economic success and personal happiness and fending off the forces that threaten these things. I am no Chinese astrologer but I can see the growth in the community of Nanjing and I constantly notice the ‘tiger’ like characteristics of people going about their business and personal lives in this large and busy city. We pay a high price for success and happiness in a modern world and our inner tiger has become almost implacable; out of control in the relentless pursuit of personal success and happiness. Where has the balance gone? How did we begin to define success and happiness as unattainable goals instead of inner peace?

Do you really know what is most important to you in your life? What is your life passion?

Do you have a plan for achieving all your goals and achieving inner happiness and success?

Do you know what is getting in the way of your success? Would you like to find out?

Do you have a buddy to help you with all aspects of your life? Personal, family, business, relationships.

Do you celebrate your life for the success it is or for what it can be?

I am looking forward to the year of the rabbit. In Chinese astrology the year of the rabbit tends to counterbalance the year of the tiger. It is a year for contemplation and reorganization. So if you are feeling the stresses of a tiger right now perhaps you can begin to find inner calm and balance to countermand these ferocious feelings and prepare for the year of the rabbit. There are many ways to find happiness and success and most of them involve looking inward rather than looking to find them in the things that surround you.

Maybe you need some help – “Ask the coach….” – Send your questions to our Nanjing Expat Life Coach. No identifying information will be used in the answers to the questions we publish.

Just recently I was offered ice in my beer! In fact the glass arrived at the table with the ice in it and the waiter proceeded to pour it in..... Thank God I was able to stop him before he spilled a drop over the ice! Coke and ice - sure! Beer and ice - definite and resounding NO!

Happy to be a fake executive! Just send them to me and I will line up for the opportunity! At $100 a day it is better than sitting at home doing nothing1