If you’ve been reading my blog since its inception, you’ll know how much I enjoy getting and reading Chinese fortunate cookies and seeing if any of them apply to my life – or the life of anyone with whom I’m having the restaurant meal. And, of course, I save those little, white pieces of paper with “learning Chinese” on one side and the “fortune” on the other. When I collect a bunch, I go through them and pull the most meaningful. So, here’s the gleaning from the most recent fortunes.
Truth-be-told, I often imagine what it would be like to be a creator of those pithy statements. Locked in a basement room,, I see the writers in a dusky environment, bent over tables with pen in hand, generating the reading material (printed in minus ten font) that we all get to have after a delicious meal of Thai, Chinese, or other Asian food.
Sometimes, the fortune is nothing more than a statement about life. And, sometimes, the fortune is a prediction of a future. It would be fun to know how many of those fortunes were on target. I remember a lunch meal with a companion at the Spicy Basil. The cookies came; we opened them and read. Each fortune was so perfect – FOR THE OTHER PERSON – that we exchanged fortunes.
LET’S BEGIN
Your charming nature will open many doors for you
How can we deny the hope for a “charming nature?” We wonder if we really have a “charming nature.” Of course, we hope we do and want it to open those doors for us.
Your smile brings happines to others
Another attribute that we all hope we have – a smile that opens doors, makes people feel really good, and shows our caring for them. What happens when we smile?
ADVICE FOR ALL
Having more money does not insure happiness
Okay. So, it doesn’t insure happiness. But, it can help with getting important things accomplished. When we look at the world’s population and see the poverty and hunger there, it is easy to hope for more resources to alleviate those distresses.
Four basic premises of writing: clarity, brevity, simplicity, and humanity
Remember the switch? This was it. My companion immediately handed this one to me!
Kindness leads to happiness
I find that many of the fortunes deal with happiness. Wanting happiness is, in my thinking, universal. I think most of us want to be happy – maybe, not all of the time, but most of it.
Be open to the surprises that life has in store
Do we look for surprises? Do we want surprises? Well, good surprises – yes. Needing a new furnace, breaking a leg, car trouble – not such good surprises.
Determination will get you through this
THIS? What this? This could be such a huge bunch of things. I won’t list all of the “this” things that could happen that need determination. I wonder (and am concerned) if we’re raising a next generation of human beings that understands the need for determination!
With great risk comes great reward
WOW! This is, as my mother would say, “a mouthful.” When was the last time you took a risk? A great risk? Did you start a new business? Did you express your feelings for another person? Did you decide to move away from your “forever home” to live in another community? Did you experience a great reward?
Your perseverance will be a key to achieving your goals
Determination. Risk / reward. And, now perseverance. It seems to me that these human attributes are related. And, they work together to make things happen – to achieve our goals.
ACTUAL FORTUNES
All of the “fortunes” above seem to me to be more statements of advice, rather than fortunes. Here are three that I consider real attempts at being fortunes.
You’ll be a light in someone’s life when they need it most
Now, here is a prediction that I think is likely to come true. Depending, of course, on determination, risk, and perseverance. To be a source of help for anyone requires all of these qualities. My hope is that you will endeavor to be a “light in someone’s life when they need it most.” I remember an older lady in the grocery story (I’ve told you about her before). She had on a bright pink jacket, and, of course, pink is my favorite color. I told her how great the jacket was, how wonderful she looked in it, and how my favorite color is pink. She thanked me and said that when she wears this jacket, she feels wonderful. Did she need that appreciation from me, just then? I don’t know. I only know that she left our conversation beaming! These opportunities can be planned or they can just present at unusual times.
A lifetime of fulfilling achievements is on the horizon
Okay, so this is back to the three qualities (D, R, P). My hope is that this fortunate can come to fruition, and you’ll achieve whatever you want to do.
Your life will be a beautiful journey
Now, who wouldn’t want this to come true? It seems to be that our life’s journey can be enhanced by planning and making things happen. I strongly believe that we can make things happen to better our lives. I know some folks who seem to let things happen to them. And, then, they often complain about that. I hold to the thinking that if you want something – go after it. Choose wisely. Sometimes, the thing that you want may not be that thing that you need. My hope for you is that your plans for life will be satisfactory to you!
Be safe and be well
The Cranky Crone
Thoughtful comments are greatly appreciated
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