One night, my two best friends and I ordered Chinese take-out and one of my friends broke open her fortune cookie to find a simply fascinating fortune tumble out. It read in tiny, inky blue print: "And all for love, and nothing for reward."
Now, being a writer, I'm always on the hunt for "zinger" little quips like that; I figure, you've got to study what makes one in order to write one, right? So naturally, when I read that, it resonated with me. The quote seemed too wise, too honest, too enlightened to be on a tiny sheet of paper packaged inside of a crispy fortune cookie. But there it was.
As difficult as it might be sometimes, I'm a huge believer in the power of timing. That things find you when you need them to the most, and I think that this quote is something that we can all be reminded of now and again. Sometimes, in today's world, it's so easy to want to do things, not necessarily for "reward," per-say, but to get something in return. We're always seeking, in our own way, confirmation that we did "the right" thing -- whatever that may be, because, if we're getting "rewarded" -- with a title, with applause, etc. -- that seems to prove that our actions were not in vain, our efforts not wasted.
This fortune cookie quote rebelled against that mentality. First, I think you have to break the quote apart a little bit further to understand what it's really telling you (another writer thing? We're constantly "breaking things down" and dissecting their meaning...it's like science, but with words). All for love --meaning, do all things for the sake of love. And nothing for reward --meaning, your actions should not be for the sake of getting something in return. Do not participate in an activity that makes you miserable just to add another line onto your resume. Do not demonstrate care for another person just so they reciprocate that affection back. Doing something to receive something back, and not with any passion at all, is toxic.
Not only does it strip us of exactly what it is to be wildly human -- and that is to be passionate, caring, involved -- but it demonstrates an emphasis on extrinsic motivation instead of intrinsic motivation. Completing actions to gain tangible rewards instead of for the sake and love of doing it. This type of thinking is harmful because it puts more importance on what the world can supply for you instead of what you can supply for the world. It's greedy, and there's no real love in greed.
The truth is, sometimes you do not get anything in return for your energy. Sometimes, it doesn't matter how much you put into the universe, it isn't enough. You cannot live for applause, or for reward. You must live yourself. Do it with passion, or do not do it at all. Do it in the name of love, not for the possibility you can gain an advantage. You'll be happier once you start living for yourself and doing everything for the love of it, I promise.
