The hard vanilla fortune cookie sits in front of me on the table. The cookie is still encased in a plastic wrapper, keeping me from my future.

I take fortune cookies very seriously. Too seriously. Each one is a little bit different — an ounce of unknown, which has the off chance of giving you wisdom you might just need.

Sometimes, it’s best to follow the advice in a fortune cookie. Credit: Tyler Thompson

Delicately, I unwrap the plastic, dumping the crescent cookie into my palm. The cookie splits down the center in two perfect pieces. I completely ignore the almond wafer halves for the far more delicious item — the small white strip of paper.

Holding up the thin strip in each of my hands, it reads:

“GO FOR A LONG WALK TO CLEAR YOUR MIND.”

I tuck the paper into my back pocket; I believe leaving your fortunes behind is bad luck. So with the fortune paper safely on my person, I decide that when fate gives you advice, you listen.

That evening, guided by my fortune, I walk until my mind is completely clear under the melting sky of pink and orange.

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