Lifestyle Lifters - Unleash the "Tiger" in You!

As those of you who follow this blog in the US are aware, we traditionally celebrate this weekend in observance of Labor Day.

Nestled within this three day period is another, perhaps more significant "Green Holiday" - National Wildlife Day - September 4. The purpose of this day is two-fold: to increase awareness of endangered animals in the U.S. and around the world, and to acknowledge the work of zoos and animal sanctuaries that help preserve the animal kingdom every day.

In my opinion, one of the most beautiful animals on the planet is the tiger. This species has several forms. All of them are on the endangered list:

Total Population in the Wild: around 3,500
Subspecies:
Bengal tiger (Pantera tigris tigris)
Population: Fewer than 2,000 Status: Endangered Species
The Indochinese tiger (Pantera tigris corbetti)
Population: Fewer than 500. Status: Endangered Species
Malayan Tiger (Pantera tigris jacksoni)
Population: Fewer than 500 Status: Endangered Species
Sumatran tiger (Pantera tigris sumatrae)
Population: Fewer than 500 Status: Critically Endangered Species
Siberian Tiger (Pantera tigris alataica)
Population: Around 500 Status: Endangered Species
South China tiger (Pantera tigris amoyensis)
Population: No sightings in years. Status: Critically Endangered Species

Trends: The Siberian tiger is the only subspecies whose population is stable. The others are declining. Main threats are illegal hunting and habitat loss.

But we are in danger of losing a tiger of a different sort. One that has the personality of a woman born under the Chinese Astrological Sign of the tiger.

The Tiger is the third animal in the Chinese horoscope, after rat and ox, and before rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and boar.

You would be a tiger if you are born between:

• February 8, 1902 and January 28, 1903
• January 26, 1914 and February 13, 1915
• February 13, 1926 and February 1, 1927
• January 31, 1938 and February 18, 1939
• February 17, 1950 and February 5, 1951
• February 5, 1962 and January 24, 1963
• January 23, 1974 and February 10, 1975
• February 9, 1986 and January 28, 1987
• January 28, 1998 and February 15, 1999

The third character profile of the twelve earth branches is that of the Tiger. She is called Yin in Chinese and symbolizes passion and integrity. The Yin or Tiger personality surveys her world and sees it through the eyes of an idealist. Life is a gigantic stage to her, on which she will no doubt be playing many leading roles. Competitive, outspoken and courageous, she will take on any and all comers with a positive "never say die" attitude.

Her primary goal in life is to be involved with something that makes a difference in the world - preferably, a huge difference. A humanitarian at heart, she will always try to support a worthy cause, champion the rights of the underdog and fight for those, like children or animals, who cannot defend themselves. Not one who shrinks from controversy, she tends to be a rebel or an activist if she feels her views are being ignored.

In today's world, where women fight daily for the right to be treated as an equal, we all need to be "tigers". Lift up your fellow woman. Lift their spirits. Lift their Lifestyle. Give them a hand up, not a hand out!

Does your birth date make you a Tiger? Great. Then act like one and the rest of us will play along.