Phu Son Nguyen's Journal and Portfolio: Life is Chess

February 12, 2005

Life is Chess

Nothing in life ever goes to as planned! It's incredibly BS. I have yet to encounter anything at all that has ever come close to whatever I've envisioned or planned. I guess that's part of life, the unpredictable events that I can't possibly foresee. It's like a game of chess, but much much much more complicated. It's funny how I've always thought that I have everything under control in my mind, and that I've planned and forecasted every situation, move and countermove possible! However, life is such an impossible worthy opponent. It has proven to me time after time that it always has its trump card ready to defeat me no matter how many moves I have thought ahead. One day, I shall win. Or maybe and hopefully, one day, it will let me win or at least be in the lead for once.

Anyhow, belly dancing is cool, it's actually a good hips workout especially for the Rumba and Samba dances. I can't believe I know about 9 different dance styles. Not really that great at any particular one but mediocre at almost all of them!

Posted by Son at February 12, 2005 03:56 AM
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Comments

jeremy - February 12, 2005 01:17 PM

I love the transition between paragraphs haha. Well said though.

Philosopher - February 12, 2005 02:35 PM

"Expect nothing. Be ready for anything."

-Old Samurai Chant

Darren - February 13, 2005 05:31 AM

You're lookin' at the cup half empty dude. True, life is infinitely more complicated than chess, but that means you have infinitely more moves and positions than chess and you can make them simultaneously in some cases...especially if you get a 2 fer 1 deal at the Red Light district. :lol:

Son - February 13, 2005 05:55 AM

Jeremy, belly dancing has a lot to do with life being like a game of chess! j/k...that was pretty random...hehe

Philosopher dude, ya I was trying to be prepared for everything I can possibly think of, but it wasn't enough. Yeah true that, I need to not expect so much...

Darren, cup half full has always failed me so far! Time to reverse it! :neutral: 2 for 1 deal is sweet! :lol:

Philosopher - February 13, 2005 10:34 AM

Have no expectations. That doesn't mean we shouldn't set things up for the future. It does mean that we would do well not to become attached to particular outcomes. We'd do better focusing our effort on being present rather than on insisting on what the future must be. Most people are never here in the present moment. They're either pondering about the past or contemplating about the future.

Empty your cup so it may be filled.

Philosopher - February 13, 2005 10:34 AM

Chasing two rabbits.

A martial arts student approached his teacher with a question. "I'd like to improve my knowledge of the martial arts. In addition to learning from you, I'd like to study with another teacher in order to learn another style. What do you think of this idea?"

"The hunter who chases two rabbits," answered the master, "catches neither one."

Philosopher - February 13, 2005 10:35 AM

Maybe

There is a Taoist story of an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. "Such bad luck," they said sympathetically. "May be," the farmer replied. The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. "How wonderful," the neighbors exclaimed. "May be," replied the old man. The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune. "May be," answered the farmer. The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son's leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out. "May be," said the farmer.

Philosopher - February 13, 2005 10:37 AM

The Present Moment

A Japanese warrior was captured by his enemies and thrown into prison. That night he was unable to sleep because he feared that the next day he would be interrogated, tortured, and executed. Then the words of his Zen master came to him, "Tomorrow is not real. It is an illusion. The only reality is now." Heeding these words, the warrior became peaceful and fell asleep.

Anonymous - February 13, 2005 10:40 AM

A famous spiritual teacher came to the front door of the King's palace. None of the guards tried to stop him as he entered and made his way to where the King himself was sitting on his throne.

"What do you want?" asked the King, immediately recognizing the visitor.

"I would like a place to sleep in this inn," replied the teacher.

"But this is not an inn," said the King, "It is my palace."

"May I ask who owned this palace before you?"

"My father. He is dead."

"And who owned it before him?"

"My grandfather. He too is dead."

"And this place where people live for a short time and then move on - did I hear you say that it is NOT an inn?"

Philosopher - February 13, 2005 10:43 AM

Working Very Hard

A martial arts student went to his teacher and said earnestly, "I am devoted to studying your martial system. How long will it take me to master it." The teacher's reply was casual, "Ten years." Impatiently, the student answered, "But I want to master it faster than that. I will work very hard. I will practice everyday, ten or more hours a day if I have to. How long will it take then?" The teacher thought for a moment, "20 years."

Parnoto - February 13, 2005 11:14 AM

Son you have lots of comments huh :mrgreen:

Derek - February 14, 2005 01:56 AM

oooh bell-ay dancing :wink: sounds fun

i'll comment more later buddy. take care

jeremy - February 14, 2005 08:04 AM

Ut oh spammer alert!

Lily - February 15, 2005 12:03 AM

wow.. belly dancing that is kewl.. btw do u want to borrow a belly dancing scarf???

btw jamie hopes that you are more successful in killing at WW3 and wonders how belly dancing will help u in killing ppl?? =)...

Son - February 15, 2005 02:21 AM

Philosopher, umm thanks for...ummm...so many philosophical writings....I'll read everything once I have some more free time.

Parnoto, ya I have a lot!!! How're you doing P-money?

Derek, it was fun, especially with a bunch of cute girls!

Jeremy, hehe it ain't a robot spamming it for sure!

Lily, you gals mean WoW right? Ya I almost got to wear the scarf, but that was just too fruity, I had to draw the line!