Like most, this fortune was open to personal interpretation and introspection but it also had me slightly on the defensive. On the surface I felt the fortune cookie was being a bit accusatory, insinuating that I am somehow closed-minded and lacking adventure. Of course I then realized that that's nuts. After all we're merely talking about a printed slip of paper, stuffed inside a non-Chinese invented, vanilla-flavored cookie, from American based Panda Express. Instead I chose to see it as just good general advice to any and everyone . . . after all the cookie and fortune don't know me. Or do they? So what then am I to gleam from this most recent cookie encounter?
Well, I learned that, day by day, as we consider our horizons, we must learn to broaden them. Well said sir! You should write fortune cookie sayings. A bit wordy though, but not bad.
Ok, so more specifically, while I feel quite confident in myself and the goals I will yet set and accomplish, many aren't as fortunate. For whatever reason, they lack the courage and faith to see more, do more, and be more. They strive only for the obvious. These souls find themselves in an unending wander, stuck in the safe, but falsely (un)rewarding comfort zones of life. Quite a few are too prideful in their views as to recognize that others can teach them a thing or two. They fail to recognize that while their way might be sufficient, there may be a better, more efficient approach.
We must of course keep our eye on the target and we must live in the now. But in order to be ever moving forward, always growing, we must must willing to expand our horizons (kind of like what the cookie says). We must visualize what it is we need and want. And we must then have or develop the courage to take worthwhile chances.
So what keeps us from expanding our horizons? What prevents us from becoming great? What limits our willingness to even try? Fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of being vulnerable. Fear of failure. Even fear of succeeding.
But expanding our horizons doesn't automatically result in any vulnerability we can't overcome. Fear is conquerable; always has been. And failure is only a chance to prove to ourselves that we CAN . . . when we try again! Those enslaved to fear may avoid the risk of getting hurt, but more so, they eliminate the opportunity or risk that leads to success and deep personal growth and strength. Sure, as with most things worth achieving, receiving, and becoming, there is a risk. But in all cases, the rewards far outweigh the risks. These same souls say "no" when saying "yes" is best for them.
As this is the first in a series I have a few important questions:
- Must the fortune cookie be consumed to fully realize any and all promises?
- Does eating a second or third, or fourth cookie negate any fortune associated with the first cookie?
- What if one eats a rogue fortune cookie from an earlier meal of Chinese food? In other words, must the fortune me accessed at time of the meal's eating?
- Is a fortune voided if one eats the cookie and reads the fortune but they were not partakers of the meal the cookie accompanied?
- Is there a statute of limitations on the fortune's efficacy?
- Is the cookie's fortune applicable in Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam (void where prohibited)?
- Are the family members of fortune cookie factory workers prohibited from participating?
- Are fortunes transferable?
- Is there a cash value to a fortune; aside from any potential monetary fortune promise?
- Is a fortune void if two or more in a party enjoying Chinese food receive the same fortune? Or are they cosmically tied to one another pending the fortune's outcome?
- If the fortune speaks of love, fortune, or fame, are two unrelated parties bound by the promise?
- Purchase or no purchase necessary?
- Despite the cookie's American or Japanese origin, does the greater the authenticity of the Chinese food increase the likelihood of the fortune occurring?
- And what role does the receiver play?
- Does the value or worth of the fortune increase if we leave the cookie and fortune in their original packing, like a limited edition collectible?
- And couldn't they make, oh I don't know, an Oreo flavored fortune cookie? Or a Fig Newton enhanced cookie? They might even want to take inspiration from the Girl Scout's Thin Mints. I'm just saying. I suppose that was as much a suggestion as it was a question, but there is so much opportunity.
- And yes, if you don't tack on the ever popular, ". . . in bed" at the end of a fortune cookie reading, do you receive the combined sum total of bad lack occurring due to breaking a mirror, spilling salt, walking under a ladder, witnessing a black cat cross your path, and saying Beetlejuice three times?
Is it me or is that a lot of fortune cookie questions? Well my inquiring mind wants to know the answers to these important inquiries. Ultimately of course, the reality of the fortune coming to fruition is entirely dependent upon our willingness to act, to try, to have a positive attitude, and a little luck never hurts.
PS-And because these are Chinese Fortune Cookies, here is the same fortune translated in Chinese: "你必须学会扩大你的视野"
PSS-Yes, I used Instagram to create the photo above.
PSSS-The total calorie content in one fortune cookie is 30.
1 comment:
Matt,
I am wise in the ways of Fortune Cookies. It has to do with a life long love of Chinese food (fueled by the fact that my parents make killer homemade Chinese food). So here are my answers to your questions.
1) You must consume the fortune cookie to inject the magic that will allow your fortune to be realized full. Partial ingestion will lead to a partial fulfillment of the fortune.
2) Since we can rarely handle 1 full fortune, ingesting a 2nd, 3rd, 4th cookie is wasted . . .but still yummy.
3)One must consume the cookie within a reasonable time after opening it. As opening it releases the awesome magic contained in the cookie that much be absorbed by us to help up be fully able to attain our promised fortune.
4)The cookie is an independent entity. However consuming Chinese food does help enhance the magic of the magic.
5) The only limitation is your ability to handle the awesomeness that is the fortune cookie.
6) It is only void when you do not believe in it.
7) They are encouraged to participate in the joy o the fortune cookie. It helps to increase their happiness and productivity.
8) Once consumed they are not transferable. Pre-consumption they are fully transferable.
9) One can not place a cash value on good fortune.
10) Each fortune in independent. However if you are a cute guy, and you get the same fortune as me I can totally fudge on this rule :P
11) I wouldn't use to word bound, I would use the word nudged.
12) No purchase necessary, but tips are appreciated.
13) The fortune cookie is only enhanced by the level of enjoyment of the Chinese food consumed. Authenticity does not alter or enhance the cookie.
14) The role of the receiver is to open ones mind and soul to the cookie's magic and allow it to work it's magic.
15) Sadly the value or worth of the cookie is only enhanced by the using of the cookie in an appropriate manner. Preserving the cookie does nothing but make it taste stale when opened.
16) The fortune cookie is available to those who are willing to look past the slightly unappealing outsides to fully appreciate the inner beauty of the cookie. Dressing up the outsides will cheapen the magic of the cookie. So no it is not possible.
17) No you do not reap vast quantities of bad luck, but the rest of the table will think you are a stick-in-the-mud.
The mystic of a fortune cookie is great, but hopefully these answers help you to feel more fully in tuned to the magic of this wonderful and unique treat.
Bethany
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