Fortune Cookie Reflections*

#1 - New and rewarding opportunities will soon develop for you.

Nothing's exactly like anything else,
So whatever happens is new.
With all that occurs, opportunity wells
Up with interesting projects to do.
Whenever you're challenged or upset or tired,
When everything piles on your head,
Remember to look up. Most chances are wired
To what we most commonly dread.


#2 - A visit to a strange place will bring you renewed perspective.

There are places we see, there are places we feel.
Some places are only prospective.
Some places are bad and some others ideal,
And some of each kind are elective.
But when places are strange and defy all we know,
Where circumstance doesn't obey,
There we have chances to learn and to grow.
There, for a time, we should stay.


#3 - Be yourself and you will always be in fashion.

When others want naught but to critically boo
And to load you with grief in full ration,
You've got only one self to be, and that's You!
So treat your one self with compassion.
Ignore the false chatter of those less benign,
Regardless how mean or how vile.
Rely on your self, stick to your own design.
Tenacity's always in style.


#4 - One learns most from teaching others.

You don't understand it. You can't comprehend.
The prospect of learning it smothers.
You're left with vain hope it will come to an end.
You'd give up if you had your druthers.
In this situation of fear and of fright,
The way to be done with the thing
Is to teach it to someone, till you've gained insight.
Do this and it loses its sting.


#5 - Keep true to the dreams of your youth.

Some dreams are impossible, others are vain,
And some are, quite frankly, uncouth.
Some dreams are quite fancy and others are plain,
But some pursue ultimate Truth.
Remember the dreams that you had at sixteen,
How the whole world would be your own workplace?
Hold fast to the fire and keep it routine.
Let the wonder be seen on your face.


*From dinner with family and friends at P.F. Chang, Austin, TX, July 1, 2011

Copyright ©2011, Paul H. Harder II

This poem is licensed under a Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0 License.