30

Today is my thirtieth birthday. I guess that is another step on the Confucian Journey:

At fifteen, I set my heart on learning. At thirty, I was firmly established. At forty, I had no more doubts. At fifty, I knew the will of heaven. At sixty, I was ready to listen to it. At seventy, I could follow my heart's desire without transgressing what was right. (Analects, 2:4)

I feel a little bit bad that I am not anywhere close to being firmly established, but I guess doubting if I am doubt-free at forty will be worse.
I don't even really know why I am writing, maybe it's because senility is one step closer. Maybe I just wanted to ignore the propriety of generation gaps and go a little sagacious on y'all. I'm not sure.

My sister gave me a book for my birthday, and I guess it is supposed to guide my attitude for when I wake up tomorrow morning since it is full of the "born again" and "this day" rubbish I don't really care for.

But this one spoke to me:

"I will love the sun for it warms my bones; yet I will love the rain for it cleanses my spirit. I will love the light for it shows me the way; yet I will love the darkness for it shows me the stars. I will welcome happiness for it enlarges my heart; yet will I endure sadness for it opens my soul. I will acknowledge rewards for they are my due; yet I will welcome obstacles for they are my challenge." (Og Mandino)

That's it. I'll leave you with that, and go back to my counting coup with pain. After all, "the slaughterhouse of failure is not my destiny." You?

SO