I was having lunch a couple weeks ago with my friend Yoshi who is a colleague of mine in more ways than one. We are coworkers at the same company, but we also train in the martial arts together. He had ordered three different plates of Dim Sum to go and as such the restaurant had provided him with three fortune cookies!
This restaurant is not your typical Chinese Restaurant where the fortunes are overwhelmingly optimistic. No, these fortunes truly challenge you and make you think! The fortunes that he had on that day really stood out to me and can really stand to benefit other martial artists and working professionals alike. I jokingly told my friend that he should speak about these lessons at an upcoming test. He declined, but I still think it is important to talk about these points
The first fortune read, “If you cannot change your mind, then why have one?” In our martial arts and professional lives we need to be able to grow and to change our minds about our techniques and our philosophies. We need to be able to be open minded to other perspectives, but it is not just limited to this. We need to be able to change our limiting beliefs of ourselves and our doubts. Challenging our doubts is a kind of perspective shift that is very much underrated.
The second fortune read, “Do not wait for others to open doors for you.” We need to seek out opportunities as martial artists as well as working professionals. This can be as easy as picking up a new martial arts book or as difficult as reaching expert level in a new martial art. We can also apply for a new job and we can ask to gain more responsibility at work! These things will not always be handed to us on a silver platter. Sometimes we need to emerge and we need to ask for information and show our intent.
The third fortune cookie was empty! Yoshi offered me the cookie since he had already had two, and I was initially upset that I didn’t get a fortune. We joked though, that it means that the fortune must come from within. Sometimes we need to figure our own issues out and assess our priorities. What do we really desire, what do we want to do with our training and our professional careers? This is up to us and I hope you take the time to intentionally reflect!
These fortunes changed my perspective and it came from something as small as having lunch with a friend! Always have an open mind and be eager to learn. You never know what you may encounter in the small spontaneous moments of life.
