Good Fortune, Good Dreams & a Good View

I am addicted to Panda Express.

Well actually, that would be most chinese food really. My friend Lane likes to treat the breaking open of the Fortune Cookie as the climax of the eating event. It is a sacred moment. Everyone must hold their fortune cookie just so. One hand holding each end, until at the appointed signal we pull the halves apart. The paper tumbles out-or at least it should.

My fortunes are usually a breach baby sort of affair. A lot of ripping of paper and cookie crumbs and not enough patience.

A few years ago when I was dealing with numerous setbacks, I started keeping track of my fortunes. My mother painted a small wooden bowl with Norweigian Rosemaling and I began saving my fortunes in that bowl. The sentiments were universal. Sort of. But they also seemed to apply uniquely to me. At least that's how I interpreted each message. Sentiments such as:

"You Will Do Better in Real Estate Than in Stocks"

"You Have a Talent For All That is Artistic"

"Your Mind is Filled With New Ideas-Make Use of Them"

And one of my favorites:

"Rarely Do Great Beauty and Virtue Dwell Together As They Do In You."

Don't even think of rolling your eyes or thinking to yourself, "yeah right Tim. Whatever."

Seriously, hear me out. Lately the world has been in need of some serious possibility thinking. The skeptics, the brain drain gang will go all, "That's a bunch of existential, new age, poppycock!"

Especially as they prepare to burn their third copy of "The Secret".

But can a little good fortune hurt anyone? Maybe dreaming is an indulgence but I am with Oprah and her gratitude lists and taking stock. On my way to work, no matter how crappy the day is, I try to make a happy list-inspired by my neice Kelcie's oft mentioned "Happy Spots".

I need to go there, to my happy spot, mentally just to keep everything in proper perspective.

I say Thank You God for the herd of Elk that I didn't hit last night.

Thank You God for snowplows and the drivers who drive them.

Thank You God for Geese and Coyotes that keep you up all night.

Thank You God for Rathdrum, Idaho. Even though I am still trying to figure out why.

Thank You God for pot holes, flat tires, and road hazard warrantees.

So my fortune bowl is growing slowly. I put it in my neice Kelcie's room-which is also a guest bedroom. The word's aren't just for Kelcy-really any guest can benefit from those small pieces of random goodwill.

As they dream at night under the stars, may they know "You Have an Ability for Accomplishment".

As they look out over the river, may they know "Luck Will Visit You on the Next Full Moon."

As they prepare to leave here, may they believe "Assert Yourself: Your Ideas are Worthwhile."

As they face challenges, may they believe "Good News is Coming Soon".

I should keep ruffling through the bowl myself and not only reading, but believing in what I find there. Sometimes, writing involves a lot of doubt. I second guess myself. I edit and edit and edit and then delete. I know that this is part of the process-but still, I probably wouldn't buy my work so why would somoene else?

I read other writers who also beat themselves up in a similar manner. I am not alone. There are legions of us who doubt our work, our contribution, and we wonder if we are wasting the world's time.

So for all of us I add one final fortune, from my mother's bowl to your dreams-believe that
"You Have a Flair For Adding A Fanciful Dimension To Any Story."

Write on.