I previously wrote about the inspiration I received from a bag of fortune cookies my wife bought at the Asian Food Market in Syracuse.

Well since then, she has purchased more bags of cookies, and I’ve been hoarding the fortunes I’ve extracted from the treats, piling the little white slips of paper on my writing desk.

I decided to gather them together and draft a poem in list form—compiled by me but written by an anonymous author. I have divided the text into two categories: General Wisdom and Personal Wisdom. I’ve also added my comments in italics.

Hoarding Fortunes

General Wisdom:

Home is where your heart is. (Agree in principle. But what constitutes home?)

Love is the key to a peaceful heart. (Agree.)

Kindness is the cornerstone of
a more compassionate heart. (Agree.)

Be glad for those around you. (Yes. I will try this when not stricken with envy.)

Patience is the key to a peaceful soul. (Agree, but difficult in practice.)

Practice self-compassion, for your
mental health deserves kindness. (Agree, 100 percent. But can your mental health actually deserve kindness?)

Ever cloud has a silver lining. (Every silver lining has a Touch of Grey).

Embrace the adventure of
life with all you have. (The “all you have” trips me up. Does this mean I need to go hiking in the Himalayas?)

Don’t hesitate to take control and
push things in the right direction. (What control do we really have?)

Be curious always! For knowledge will
not acquire you, you must acquire it. (Agree about the curious part, but the knowledge line trips me up.)

Personal Wisdom:

Positive changes are in your future. (Wait and see.)

Good things will shine upon you in
February—be open to receiving it. (Why February? It’s the worst month of the year in my area. What good things? Subzero temperatures and three feet of lake-effect snow?)

A time of creativity and
inspiration is in your future. (I sure hope so.)

Your luck will bring you
great opportunities. (Unlikely.)

Your positive outlook
will lead you to success. (Possibly.)

A deeper understanding of
life is coming your way. (I’m getting older, so I hope wisdom comes with age.)

A personal goal will be realized. (Maybe.)

Your entrepreneurial spirt will lead to
great financial success and wealth. (Reality check. I am entrepreneurial, but I don’t foresee huge wealth in my future.)

Your resilience will shine in the
face of unexpected obstacles. (I’ll try.)

You will be able to overcome any
obstacle that comes your way. (Highly unlikely.)

You are a positive influence
on everyone you meet. (I try to be, but maybe it’s because I don’t reveal what I’m actually thinking.)

Your coworkers will
appreciate your contributions. (I hope so, but they may also get annoyed with me.)

Your family will be a source
of strength and support. (Agree.)

Embrace your dreams;
they are your unique path. (Yes. But the pessimist in me acknowledges that most of my dreams will never come true. And that’s OK.)