Let’s embrace the wisdom and adaptability of the ‘Wood Snake’ to navigate challenges
It’s crazy when I hear people lament that they missed the boat to have a “dragon baby” last year, as they head to the drawing board to plan marriage and children so that it coincides with the year of whatever their favourite Chinese zodiac animal is.
In Christianity, the snake is associated with deceit and temptation, while the mythical Naga is believed to bring protection and blessings in Hinduism where it is a symbol of fertility and power.
The caduceus, a staff with two snakes coiled around it, has been the symbol of the medical field for centuries, going back to ancient Greek mythology where the God of Healing Asclepius would use snakes to cure believers.
While I previously would have “died” had I come face-to-face with a snake without it even having to bare its poisonous fangs, I am pleased to share that I have now overcome my ophidiophobia with the help of Suzy, a 200kg, 5m-long reticulated python, and its minder.
You see, I had decided to confront and overcome my irrational fear of snakes by spending some time with dear Suzy. As I patted the pretty python, I found myself enjoying the experience. She was so lovely to touch!
When Suzy died years later from old age, our students at Sunway University helped to immortalise the majestic creature and the taxidermised serpent can now be admired at the Sunway Lagoon petting zoo.
This year’s Wood Snake is said to bring a blend of wisdom and adaptability, heralding renewal and hope, and signifying a fresh start for new goals and ambitions.
In my opinion, being able to adapt is very important. As the world we live in today is constantly changing, we need to be versatile to weather whatever life throws at us and bounce back better.
Let us be encouraged to let go of that which no longer serves us, much like a snake shedding its skin, and to embrace the many opportunities which lie ahead.
We need to remind ourselves that change, while often uncomfortable, can bring about unexpected opportunities for growth. We need to change our mindset to embrace change, rather than resist it, as this will empower us to navigate whatever challenges we face and turn those obstacles into opportunities for growth.
I, for one, look forward to this growth at home and at work where everyone within the organisation can come together as a family to achieve personal as well as collective organisational goals.
The Chinese New Year festive season may have come and gone but I trust it is not too late to wish all readers of StarEdu, good health, wealth and happiness for the coming months. The year ahead holds endless possibilities so let us make the most of it.
Prof Datuk Dr Elizabeth Lee is the chief executive officer at Sunway Education Group. A veteran in the field of private higher education, Prof Lee is also an advocate for women in leadership. She has been recognised both locally and internationally for her contributions to the field of education. The views expressed here are the writer’s own.
