My dear daughter,
Sometimes we get caught up in the worldly illusion that once we make our first million, or acquire the latest car model, or buy a lovely home, or marry a handsome or beautiful spouse, or get our dream job, et cetera, we’ll be truly happy.
The idea that we can find happiness hidden within our material possessions is a false one. Unfortunately, many realize this only after they’ve spent most of their existence pursuing ephemeral things.
A great sage put it succinctly:
3 What does man gain by all the toil
at which he toils under the sun?
8 All things are full of weariness;
a man cannot utter it;
the eye is not satisfied with seeing,
nor the ear filled with hearing.
9 What has been is what will be,
and what has been done is what will be done,
and there is nothing new under the sun.
2 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher,
vanity of vanities! All is vanity. – Ecclesiastes 1: 3,8,9,2
Let me share a quick, life-changing tip with you: take time to reflect and ponder on the things that are important to you to avoid a life of regrets. I once read what I consider an apocryphal article about what Steve Jobs had written at the end of his life. I doubt Steve wrote it, but the message the author attempts to convey is clear and pregnant with wisdom. Let them guide your journey through life.
I reached the pinnacle of success in the business world. In others’ eyes, my life is an epitome of success.
However, aside from work, I have little joy. In the end, wealth is only a fact of life that I am accustomed to.
At this moment, lying on the sick bed and recalling my whole life, I realize that all the recognition and wealth that I took so much pride in, have paled and become meaningless in the face of impending death.
In the darkness, I look at the green lights from the life-supporting machines and hear the humming mechanical sounds; I can feel the breath of God, of death drawing closer.
Now I know, when we have accumulated sufficient wealth to last our lifetime, we should pursue other matters that are unrelated to wealth
Should be something more important: perhaps relationships, perhaps art, perhaps a dream from younger days
Non-stop pursue of wealth will only turn a person into a twisted being, just like me.
God gave us the senses to let us feel the love in everyone’s heart, not the illusions brought about by wealth.
The wealth I have won in my life I cannot bring with me. What I can bring is only the memories precipitated by love.
That’s the true riches which will follow you, accompany you, and give you strength and light to go on.
Love can travel a thousand miles. Life has no limit. Go where you want to go. Reach the height you want to reach. It is all in your heart and in your hands.
What is the most expensive bed in the world? Sickbed. You can employ someone to drive the car for you, make money for you but you cannot have someone to bear the sickness for you.
Material things lost can be found. But there is one thing that can never be found when it is lost – Life.
When a person goes into the operating room, he will realize that there is one book that he has yet to finish reading – Book of Healthy Life.
Whichever stage in life we are at right now, with time, we will face the day when the curtain comes down.
Treasure Love for your family, love for your spouse, love for your friends.
Treat yourself well. Cherish others.
Sometimes, it’s the most awful moments we face in life that give us a golden chance to acknowledge what’s truly important to us. Time spent with the family and friends doing simple things, sharing stories, telling jokes, and sincerely appreciating each other’s company is the best.
We waste so much time and energy every day on irrelevant things that prevent us from communicating enough or spending time with our loved ones. My dear, ensure you find the time to love and be loved.
Love you always,
Dad