Sink or float

Water not only can keep a ship afloat, but can also sink it.

Sometimes, something that is useful or essential to us is also dangerous. There are times that we rely on something or someone to carry us through situations, but an overreliance on that person or thing may be our downfall.

Understanding the dangers of relying too much on someone or something can only help us. We need to be able to do things independently (this is not to say that we can't depend on others). We need to be able to do things without help if necessary. At the same time, though, we also need to be able to rely on others or objects to carry us through when we most need support.

Facing happiness

Your happiness is before you, not behind you! Cherish it. I have met people who greet the days that lie before them with the greatest of melancholy, with regrets and sorrow that the future would never be just as good as what they experienced in the past. It's easy to get lost in the memories of yesterday, thinking of how great things were, and of how happy one was then. But how do you know that tomorrow will not bring a time that is happier? If we all clung to moments--such as the the times we spent with a former lover or close friend that we have lost (perhaps through a break-up or a slow fade-away), we'd close our hearts and souls to the possibilities of the future. If we keep looking backwards, we never may be entirely open to new possibilities. Each of those possibilities has the ability to bring greater happiness than we've ever known.

Usual gifts

You will soon receive an usual gift freely given. Accept!

Usual gift? When I first read this fortune, I thought it said unusual gift, so my mind wondered what I could soon be receiving. It wouldn't be that giant rearview mirror that I received at a white elephant swap before Christmas?

The rearview mirror is still in the box. I gave it to my dad, though. Unusual gift, yes.

But a usual gift? I think that usual gifts tend to blend and fade into my memory, even if I do accept them graciously. However, the unusual gifts I do not forget (this includes the giant rearview mirror, a Hello Kitty wafflemaker (given by my boyfriend), a set of ponytail holders and hair clips (I have short hair, mind you), and a pair of sparkly purple panties given by my mom's friend at an annual Christmas gathering of mostly middle-aged family friends--mortifying...)

Simplicity

Keep it simple. The more you say, the less people remember.

How true that what we say is what stays in people's minds. The overcomplication of words is difficult to remember, and it's just better to get back to basics. Say what you need to say--and my boyfriend tends to ramble on--a side effect is that sometimes people tune out if things go on too long, if there's too much talking.

Service

If a true sense of value is to be yours it must come through service.

On my honor I will try

To serve God and my country

To help people at all times

And to live by the Girl Scout Law

Of course, it's been years since I was a Girl Scout (I made it as far as Cadette), so I had to look up the Girl Scout Law. But I still remember holding up three fingers and reciting this at the beginning of each Troop meeting. As a Girl Scout, we earned badges that we later sewed onto our vests or sashes. I didn't make it very far; I joined Girl Scouts because my friends were in my Troop, and I had a lot of fun.

That changed in my last year of Girl Scouts. Because many girls quit Girl Scouts or found that they wanted to focus their time on other activities, our Troop was much smaller, so we merged with another local Troop. This other Troop had a leader who was all about earning badges and selling many cookies, and at that point when it became work and about the importance of earning badges rather than learning about oneself or spending time doing things that were important to you, Girl Scouts was no longer fun. So I dropped out after that year (must have been 7th or 8th grade).

But here's the thing: after I left Girl Scouts, I was still quite involved in a lot of activities, volunteering my time with different organizations that focused on those in need, and I didn't need a badge to prove that I was worthy of that activity. I felt good about myself and felt that I was doing something worthwhile. For many years, I did volunteer work, and although right now my time has been pretty tied up, I still feel pretty good when I do something for someone else. I feel this way, because I'm doing something because it's important to me, and not because I have to earn a badge or proof to show that I did something.

That feeling is more meaningful than the Girl Scout badges, in my opinion.

Always time for friends

A friend asks only for your time not your money.

Again, no proofreading for the missing comma here...and a very cheerful looking fortune with the two smiley faces!

True, a friend does not ask for money (unless it's for a quick borrowing with a quick repayment--I've done that before where I've conveniently left my money somewhere, and I'm someplace that doesn't take credit cards or something). But more importantly, friends offer time to each other, time to talk, time to laugh, enjoy each other's company.

Now, I must add that I would like to add consideration to this. Be considerate--time is valuable not only for you, but also for your friends...sometimes people are busy...so be aware that sometimes they may not be able to offer up time immediately. I have a friend who is nice and everything, but she often asks me to do things at the last minute (for example, texting me that morning at 11 AM to ask me to lunch on the same day). However, this is more than an occasional occurrence, and it happens quite often. It's a bit frustrating--I'd like to give her my time but I am also busy and am a notorious planner, where I have my life scheduled out a week, if not several weeks, out in advance. Plus, turning down multiple last-minute invitations really makes me feel bad and scummy, because I do not know if it gives off the impression that I don't want to do anything with her.

Delegating

Tension in a partnership? It might be time for you to delegate.

I wonder...what is the tension in the partnership? Is it caused by someone who is doing all the work? Is the tension mine? If it is, delegation to someone who is responsible may help.

If someone is taking all the work, I hope that some of the work gets delegated to me--as long as it's something I don't mind doing at all.

Basically, this fortune seems like one of those that calls to mind the idea of sharing, the idea of collaborating, communicating, and working together toward a mutual goal.

Is it perhaps an unequal partnership? Sometimes I am not sure if simple delegation would answer the question. Sometimes, leaving the partnership is the best solution.

Inner wisdom

Take some time and listen to your own inner wisdom.

H0w often have we done this: We had a nagging thought or instinct--but did something different entirely? Sometimes our first impressions or our first instincts are the right ones. Knowing when to heed that little voice in our head is important. Otherwise, our decisions may not be the right ones.

Brer Rabbit

If you chase two rabbits, both will escape.

Far from being instructions on trapping or hunting, I think of trying to do too much at the same time. For instance, if I am trying to finish two things for a tight deadline (which of course, would be at the same time and date), and trying to complete them well.

In those situations, it's really difficult to do it well. Or in some cases, it's difficult to even complete both tasks, in which case you need to regroup and either focus on one task (or rabbit) so the goal is accomplished.

Care and attention to the key relationships in your life will pay off.

Care and attention to the key relationships in your life will pay off.

Once, I had a friend that I thought was my very best friend in school. I went to college, and despite the fact that I would call her or e-mail her, she would not return my messages. There was even a time that I was home for a long weekend, so I called her as soon as I was home, and asked her to call me back so we could do something together.

Did I ever hear back from her? Not till the night I went back to school, and even then, she just left a message on the answering machine, which was something to the effect of, "Well, I didn't call, but I figured you'd be back at school already."

Stupid excuse, I thought--even if she couldn't get together with me that weekend, she could have at least called and said, "Hey, it's cool that you're home, but I'm really sorry--I already have plans." At least do the courtesy of realizing that friendship is a two-way street, and I can't be the one to always maintain the relationship.

After that, I stopped trying or bothering to keep in touch with her. If it was truly a friendship that she valued, she ought to nurture it, too--not just me. So for years, I didn't hear from her, then I ran into her a year after I moved back home. She's sort of in my life, I don't consider her a true friend. So, to me, real relationships are ones that you value and where you feel valued as a person, and even if time gets away from you, you can still call that person and make them feel important.

All I need

No need to worry! You will always have everything you need!

That's good to know in these hard economic times. One thing I do want to say--is to remember the difference between "need" and "want"--perhaps I need food, but not a wii, or maybe I need clothes, but I want, say, the $200 skirt from Anthropologie. I think making sure you have what you need will keep you happy--but also knowing that you may not always have everything you want is also important, too.

So here's to having everything we need--and all the things we want--and get--is just the icing on the cake.

Psst. I've got a secret for you.

Rumor is a by-product of untruthful conversation.
I kind of remember elementary school, and even worse, high school where truths and untruths flew around like crazy. So-and-so did this, so-and-so slept with this person. Sometimes it would leave an indelible mark on the person's reputation. One little thing, real or imagined, could be someone's downfall. Usually it's something not true, or maybe a bit of stretched truth.

I can think of an instance where rumors about one of my friends was spread around this little group, and I'm sure was spread to other people who knew this group. It's not a nice situation, and I was frustrated about this, because most of these people had met her for the very first time then, and I had known her since I was about six years old, so I think I'm a better judge of her character than all the gossips. Even though that was quite some time ago, it still annoys me to know that people were so readily saying untruthful things about my friend behind her back. Of course, I stuck up for her (and I think of this whole group, only one guy believed me, because, as he said, "Guys lie--so you are right, and she's probably telling the truth.")

Hopefully, enough time has passed that people have forgotten about the incident...But the thing with rumors and gossip is they never seem to die easily...

Use your abilities at this time to stay focused on your goal. You will succeed.

I'm trying to figure out what my goals are. Well, actually, I know what they are, but I have been so distracted lately, what with Christmas being around the corner, and with so many distractions. My ability to focus, apparently, is non-existent.

Part of the problem is that when I think about things like studying, I get stressed out because, well, this is Christmas break--who needs more stress? But I promise I will try and make sure that books and movies and fun things do not lure me away from studying (after all, I'd like to finish school on a positive note...)

Value

If a true sense of value is to be yours it must come through service.

I suppose that if one must appreciate something...it has to be earned. I feel like that today (and here I probably sound like an old fogey, but I'm still in my 20's) that there is not as much pride or appreciation for what we have. Or for what we have earned in our lives. I don't mean money (though money has value). I'm talking about working toward a dream or goal--such as perhaps a degree or finishing a project, we have to work hard for that and not take an easy route or have it handed to us. I think there's been some of that lost as generations change. I guess I'm in a transitional generation where there still is some pride on our accomplishments in working toward goals.

And I see others (some whom are younger than me, but it's not just younger people) who expect that they automatically deserve things (such as A's on exams) when they did not work hard. Whereas I remember being proud of working for an A or earning recognition for activities.

Bravery and health

The healthy and strong individual is the one who asks for help when he needs it.

Sometimes, pride goeth before a fall. Sometimes, we learn that lesson too late. But the ability to know where one's limits are--that's good. But what's even better is knowing when to swallow pride and ask for help, especially in areas where one may not know enough.

Granted, there are times when I really hate asking for help or advice, but sometimes I have to. And it's not easy, but I think having the confidence to do so is a good thing. It's easy to keep on trying something idiotic or futile, but the results may not be as good in the end. And it may save you from embarassment over a mistake.

Golddiggers

You are surrounded by fortune hunters.

I think that says it all.

That old routine

You will enjoy doing something different this coming weekend.

Since this weekend is Halloween Weekend, I would hope this weekend would be different. But in a good way.

With that, I wish you all Happy Halloween and trick-or-treating! Do something out of the ordinary!

Future profession

You could prosper in the field of entertainment.

You know, once, long ago (like, when I was 10 or even younger), it was my secret ambition to be a rock star. Never mind that I am a terrible singer. Or, in fourth grade, I wanted to be a world-famous mystery writer a la (koff, koff), Carolyn Keene. Such ambitions are typical (I think; ranging from rock star, writer, actress, musician, model, and so on). But reality does sink in, and we do--or the majority of us do eventually become professionals in other fields, such as, say, being a teacher or perhaps a sales manager. Or a vet. But you know what? We all have to entertain somebody at some point in our lives, whether it's our children or our students (nothing like standing up in front of a classroom full of yawning students at 8 AM, and cracking a joke that makes them wake up. Or, telling a story -- or giving a lecture -- with such passion and fervor that students take notice and start thinking that they want to do whatever it is that you do for a living). One of my best-- or several of my best professors in college were the most passionate and animated lecturers who dove right into the material with such enthusiasm--is that not entertainment?

Or, the waiter who sings Happy Birthday at a restaurant, to an embarassed guest, or a pediatrician who makes a child smile (or laugh) after giving him a shot or a thorough check-up. So you see, we all use entertainment in our daily lives and professions. We just may not take notice, unlike people who do it on purpose (such as folks who are stars on The Bachelor or Survivor or whatever reality show is out there).

And you know what? I'd still like to be a writer. But maybe not Carolyn Keene.

Some healthy tips

Here we go, Low fat whole wheat green tea.

First things first: Why did this advice come after we have partaken in our Chinese food feast? Which was probably a buffet (so you know what that means: seconds and maybe thirds of deep-fried stuff, or pan-fried dumplings--my weakness). I sincerely doubt that it was low-fat, though.

Secondly, whole wheat? I don't think I saw anything whole wheat at the restaurant.

Thirdly, are there commas missing? Or am I supposed to have whole wheat green tea that is low in fat? You tell me. I don't think that exists (though the medincinal properties of green tea cannot be ignored)

Courage, again

The courage to be great lies deep within each of us.

I bet each of us is capable of being great. Whether it's great at work, at school, at sports, or being a great person of some sort--sometimes we get so encumbered by our doubts that we can't achieve our goals. But sometimes just believing in ourselves takes courage and bravery, and being able to do so--looking at our doubts and feelings of inadequacy--and saying, heck yeah, we can do that! That's courageous.