Chinese Fortune Cookies

by Lauraine Alberetti Lombara

       

             January is a tricky month. It creeps up and surprises us as we try to recuperate from a string of holidays that start on Halloween, jump quickly to Thanksgiving, and on to Christmas, Hanukkah or other December celebrations and finally culminates at New Year’s Eve and Day.

              So why do I say tricky?  It’s because most people start making resolutions to diet, exercise or stop addictive behaviors.   It may be that we have overindulged during the previous months and need our resolutions to modify behaviors or make new commitments to improve our lives.  I was thinking about a different start.

              I came across my collection of Chinese cookie fortunes which I read and pondered for a few hours – chuckling, sighing and realizing that here was a trove of potential resolutions to suit any desire, mood or need.  Let me give you some examples:

IF ONE IS DEPRESSED:

“When nothing helps, you’re the best help you can get.”  “Sing and rejoice, fortune is smiling on you.” “Fortune is on your side.” “Play it for all it’s worth.”  “Financial hardship in your life is coming to an end. Enjoy.”

IF ONE IS FEELING UNLOVED:

“Lucky you. Get out your party clothes. The clean ones.”  “Accept the next proposition you hear.”  “Time and patience are called for, many surprises await you.”

IF ONE NEEDS INSPIRATION OR ENCOURAGEMENT:

“You have handled your responsibilities competently.”  “If your desires are not extravagant, they will be granted.”  “Many receive advice, only the wise profit by it.”  “Someone is speaking well of you.”  “Great acts of kindness will befall you in the coming months.” “You will be advanced socially without any special effort.” “You will make a profitable investment.”

IF ONE NEEDS A GOOD LAUGH:

“Man who wakes up famous has not been sleeping.”  “Tomorrow is two days late for yesterday’s work.” ”Don’t stop dreaming, otherwise sleep will get awfully boring.” “If you cannot be good, be careful.” “Ignore previous cookie.”(Yes, that’s what it really says) “If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you’ve never tried before.”

Now here are some I shall consider for myself – a New Year’s compilation of many of my favorite fortunes as I head into 2017:

1.       “When winter comes, heaven will rain success on you.”

2.       “No need to worry. You will always have everything you need.”

3.       “Your spirit of adventure leads you down an exciting new path.”

4.       “Look closely at your surroundings.”

5.       “You are one of the people who goes places in life.”

6.       “You are heading in the right direction.”

7.       “You will take a chance on something in the near future.”

8.       “You will make some changes before winning.”

9.       “Avoid taking unnecessary gambles.”

10.   “Someday you will become rich and famous.”

11.   “You will inherit some money or a small piece of land.”

12.   “You are entering a time of great promise and overdue rewards.”

13.   “You will travel to exotic places on your next trip.”

14.   “You are heading for a land of sunshine.”

15.   “Soon you will be sitting on top of the world.”

16.   “You will soon be crossing the great waters.”

17.   “You will step on the soil of many countries.”

18.   “It’s not only important to add years to your life, but to add life to your years.”

19.   “Find release from your cares, have a good time.”

20.   “Love, because it is the only true adventure.”

21.   “The important thing is to express yourself.” 

22.   “Four basic premises of writing: clarity, brevity, simplicity and humanity.”  

As winter comes and the heavens rain success on me, I shall take a chance, be wise, travel over waters and many lands, sit on top of the world, have a great time and express myself using the four basic premises of writing.

I end with my last fortune, “Confucius wishes you a Prosperous Peaceful and Happy New Year.”