To The Orient!

Today, I did two things of the Oriental theme. I watched ‘Memoirs Of A Geisha’ at night, and drew lots at a temple in the morning. The temple I am mentioning this time is not the one that I have visited for solace. This is the one that lives up to the images of temples people may cherish for this is a Chinese-styled one that sits on the slope of a hill.

I did my prayers for peace and the averting of suffering for as many as possible. I told of my wish for all pain and suffering to be eliminated, but knew it to be impossible. Through pain and suffering, we learn and grow, the weak become strong, people alter paths, and the world changes. Still, I prayed for the lessons to be less difficult to bear. May less people die for a leader to realise his mistakes, may pain not reach the extreme before people know the need to reform, and may tears flow in milder volumes before people learn to be resilient and worthy enough to claim victories. With the good, comes the bad, unless you wish to have no part in any of it.

After completing my prayers, I drew lots. It is a rather Chinese thing (*nay, people from several religions in the Orient practice it as well) to do to answer one’s queries. I suppose it may be liken to studying astrology, reading tea leaves, tarot cards… or perhaps the Ouija board and crystal ball? Only one question per lot and you have to verify that the lot that does pop up in front of you is truly an answer for you by consulting the result of two halves of a crescent-shaped thing. (I recommend trying it out for yourselves.) I repeated the actions I observed from young lady who knelt beside me for she seemed experienced.

When I got my lot, my mother asked me what I ask about. “My career,” I replied, for nothing mattered more with regards to my means of sustaining my body and spirit. On the practical side, it does put food on the table, and my dreams keep me going when I would have just murdered myself or go devote myself to some peace corp in a war-struck zone and fulfill that part of my dreams. The career thing seemed to be ok.

My mother was curious with regards to marriage. I knelt down again for another lot and another answer. In my heart, I asked about love rather than marriage. What is love without marriage? Many lovers can tell you that there is the bittersweet bliss of knowing the person you love loves/loved you. What about marriage without love? Trading sex and smiles for food and shelter… and some amount of security. I am by no means opposed to marriage (quite the contrary), but I do not feel the difference a piece of nice paper will do for people who love each other or for people who do not. Everyone should do it for the alimony if for nothing else. (I knew someone who broke up with her boyfriend of 9 years and had to move out of the house they shared with only ‘her’ stuff. When they revoke your claim on their love, at least leave with something to keep you going rather than having to accept charities from friends or family. I would suggest money.)

I digress as I often do. Well, the story goes that I got a good lot apparently. I am hesitant about feeling pleased about it for my love will come from my past rather than from a mysterious stranger that I shall meet in the future, provided I shall take the initiative to encourage him. My past is my past and I tend to keep it that way. Who would emerge from my past to take hold of such a position in my life? I guess there goes any hope of meeting someone new and finding out he’s the one for me. Shucks!

My mind is blank and I cannot think of whom to encourage from my past. I have only moved to this place for only a year plus a few days. (How far back in the past?) Faces I see are usually fairly new. On top of that, I am a numbskull when it comes to symptoms of possibilities. I swear I really don’t know when people are interested in me. If anyone requires encouragement, let me know. I shall try to understand what form of encouragement is needed… with some help, preferably.

Really no interesting mysterious stranger in my future? That's a bit hard to believe... it one believes such things, that is.