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.

Failure

What great things would you attempt if you knew you could not fail.
All too often, we have great ideas. And many times, the insecurities we have, the self-doubts we have about bringing those ideas to fruition get in the way.

Imagine if someone dreamed the airplane, and didn't work on creating it. Imagine if Ford dreamt a car and didn't create it. So much of what we have in this world started as an idea. But just think of how many of these crazy inventions or theories came about because someone believed hard enough, or thought to himself--"just maybe--just maybe--this is true?" Without that nagging thought tugging in the back of your head--or just by ignoring that little voice that tells you are wrong or just plain crazy...maybe you'll stumble upon greatness.

Maybe you'll create masterpieces, just like van Gogh. Maybe you'll be a scientist who refused to back down, just like Frederick Banting.

Maybe you just didn't give up on something you believed in with all your heart, like Anne Sullivan. Or Temple Grandin's mother. Or my parents. My parents were often told that what they were attempting was impossible, and that I wouldn't be able to speak, much less hear. Yet, they defied popular opinion and here I am, a product of that chance, that opportunity. I can't imagine my life being any other way, and it's all because my parents just simply didn't give up.

Out of all the possibilities out there, how many were not brought to life?

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.

Said, if you're gonna play the game, boy, you gotta learn to play it right

A gambler not only will lose what he has, but also will lose what he doesn't have.

I think of the lyrics from The Gambler...and also from The Winner Takes It All and I imagine someone desperate, someone on a winning streak--the lucky run. Someone who has brought all he has to the table. "Just a little more, I'll win it back," he thinks to himself. Deeper in debt, another chip to lay on the table. "Just a bit more--my lucky streak will come back."

Said, if you're gonna play the game, boy, you gotta learn to play it right

He's convinced himself that he has nothing to lose, but everything to gain. But by betting more than what he has--he's going to lose it all and spend time trying to get himself back in the black. Or perhaps his wife won't be happy and their marriage will disolve. Perhaps he'll file bankruptcy and lose the home that he and his wife have built together.

You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em
Know when to walk away and know when to run
You never count your money, when you're sittin' at the table
There'll be time enough for countin', when the dealin's done
Every gambler knows that the secret to survive is
Knowing what to throw away and knowing what to keep
'Cos every hand's a winner and every hand's a loser
And the best that you can hope for is dyin' in your sleep

Knowing when to stop, when to stop taking chances--sometimes that takes real strength and confidence, too. Knowing when to walk away, not to give up--but to keep oneself from losing everything, whether it's money or love. Taking a risk can be worth it. This I know for sure--we've all taken risks, whether it's tossing that last chip on Red 5 on a rouletta in Vegas, falling in love, buying a house...sometimes the risks are worth it.

Maybe that Red 5 was that lucky number. Maybe that was the last of your savings. Perhaps the person you fall for is the one you end up marrying. But maybe it all falls apart and you get your heart broken. Maybe that house was the one of your dreams--or perhaps it turned out to be a money pit and not the right place for you at all. But more importantly, knowing when to take a chance is important, and moreover, it's also important to know when not to risk it all.

Athrilling time

Athrilling time is in your immediate future.

First of all, no proofreaders for this fortune?

Second of all, a thrilling time in my future sounds like a good thing. Hopefully it is a good thrilling time and not one of those miserably thrilling times (i.e., dangerous). I hope the smiley faces on this fortune are a good indication of what sort of thrilling time I am meant to have in the immediate future.

Charity begins at home, and justice begins next door.

Charity begins at home, and justice begins next door.

I've been looking at this fortune, wondering how to interpret this. Charity begins at home--the first thing that comes to mind is that we are all taught to do chores. Perhaps we begin by cleaning our rooms for a dollar. Or perhaps washing the dishes for ten cents--or whatever allowance we got from our parents. But rather than doing these chores for monetary reimbursement, we (hopefully) learn to do things like take out the trash so Dad won't have to, or to clean the shower so Mom won't have to. It's the consideration for others that we learn at home.

Now as far as justice--it is a bit of an extension of charity. Instead of doing things for people that we truly know and love at home, we extend our treatment to others. Treat them kindly, treat them with respect, and to be fair to others.

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...)

Dreams

There are 365 days in a year, may all 365 of your dreams come true.

Now that sounds pretty darned good to me, despite the grammar in this fortune cookie.

Last night (and I'm being dead serious here), Rocco DiSpirito was in my dream, and not only was he cooking some sort of chicken, but he was crushing on me pretty hard. I say that's not a bad dream, and I wouldn't mind if that particular dream came true.

After all, who can resist a cute man who can cook? (and in my dream, he thought I was the bee's knees, so that's just as good as gourmet food). And inexplicably, there were shelves of bottled water (that I drank when I lived in Europe) in my dream, which made me incredibly happy. There may have also been some Quarkkaese (sigh).

So Rocco DiSpirito, if you read this (as if you have time, what with your fusion cooking, Italian-American cooking, writing cookbooks, and being on TV), would you mind coming over and cooking me some food, and coming with some Quarkkaese? And if you develop a crush on me in the meantime, I wouldn't mind, either.

http://thefortunecookies.blogspot.com/2008/11/dreams.html

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.

Amelie-inspired fortune

You are grateful for the small pleasures of life.

It is always important, I think, to remember the little things that make life worth living. For me, it's the feel of really nice socks (such as an angora blend sock), or perhaps finding a really cool pair of shoes on sale and it's in my size (doesn't life get better than that? Or perhaps fireflies blinking away at night. It's the little things that add up to the larger happiness and joy.

Greed?

The pleasure of what we enjoy is lost by wanting more.

So very true. I think. But for me, the irony lies in this very true saying about appreciating what you have--and not succumbing to greed--by following it with the lucky numbers that you can play in the lotto. Talk about hypocrisy.