I just read an email from Aud which was sent in January. I think it's really meaningful and it strikes and awoken my conscience.
Read on the story:
A long time ago, there was an Emperor who told his horseman that if he could ride on his horse and cover as much land area as he likes, then the Emperor would give him the area of land he has covered.
Sure enough, the horseman quickly jumped onto his horse and rode as fast as possible to cover as much land area as he could. He kept on riding and riding, whipping the horse to go as fast as possible. When he was hungry or tired, he did not stop because he wanted to cover as much area as possible.
Came to a point when he had covered a substantial area and he was exhausted and was dying. Then he asked himself, "Why did I push myself so hard to cover so much land area? Now I am dying and I only need a very small area to bury myself."
This is what the email said:
The above story is similar with the journey of our Life. We push very hard everyday to make more money, to gain power and recognition. We neglect our health, time with our family and to appreciate the surrounding beauty and the hobbies we love.
One day when we look back, we will realize that we don't really need that much, but then we cannot turn back time for what we have missed.
Life is not about making money, acquiring power or recognition. Life is definitely not about work! Work is only necessary to keep us living so as to enjoy the beauty and pleasures of life. Life is a balance of Work and Play, Family and Personal time. You have to decide how you want to balance your Life. Define your priorities, realize what you are able to compromise but always let some of your decisions be based on your instincts. Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of Life, the whole aim of human existence.
So, take it easy, do what you want to do and appreciate nature. Life is fragile, Life is short. Do not take Life for granted. Live a balanced lifestyle and enjoy Life!
Last week, I had been pushing myself inwards and more inwards when I was thinking of how to go about my future and further studies and at the same time wondering what job can make me more money. I even force myself to picture myself in 10 years time because according to some self-improvement books we should have the picture of ourselves in 10 years time.
But I just can't picture my lifestyle by then. I can't picture in what area I will work in, how much I will be earning, whether I'm married, whether I have kids, whether I'm wealthy, whether I'm already a housewife, whether I'm healthy, whether I am still in Malaysia and etc and etc.
I think my mind has gone out of my body to search for the future that can never be found. Mum told me that I should not think so far ahead coz it will confuse me, things will be alright when I'm there. But I still have my biggest fear that I don't have my future plans with me yet when I'm already 24, which is quite old.
I know mum was right. I just need a catalyst to backup mum's theory. Although this email is very different from what mum was trying to say, but this email is the catalyst that makes me think back what mum told me, plus a bit of Adam's theory.
This catalyst says:
- don't work too hard for money, power and reputation and ruin your health and miss your life with your love ones.
Mum says:
- don't think too much about future, just go on with your life and life will sort it out for you when you go on.
Adam says:
- don't be afraid to try new things that may make you succeed in life. You can't avoid doing anything just to avoid failures. If you think you went to a field you don't like to be in, you can always change field, it won't kill you.
I got a hint from this catalyst. I should not work too hard to picture my future now and ruin my health and miss the precious time to share laughter with family and friends. So, I will try not to force myself to picture the 34 years old me and will just live to the best everyday. And, I will proceed with whatever I think is appropriate to upgrade both my thinking and my qualifications without hesitation now, but of course if my interest sets in. =)
This doesn't mean I'm mentally prepared for PhD. I'll still consider taking master (research-based) if I have the chance. And if I really like writing thesis and doing lab works I will then proceed with PhD.
So, I don't have to decide now... yet. =)
For those of you who put your life into the job you are doing 24-7, remember to eat your meals and sleep enough. You won't want a sick body when you are all successful in the future and are finally ready to have some crazy time or a world tour or someting. Coz by that time you are sick and might be immobile and weak and cannot enjoy life already.
So, balance up your life. When you have time to share time with family, share; when you have time to have some fun, go for it. =)
p/s: I'm really glad that a friend of mine actually took my advice to do some sports (i.e. swimming) to destress. What excited me was that she is feeling great now after swimming. =D
Read on the story:
A long time ago, there was an Emperor who told his horseman that if he could ride on his horse and cover as much land area as he likes, then the Emperor would give him the area of land he has covered.
Sure enough, the horseman quickly jumped onto his horse and rode as fast as possible to cover as much land area as he could. He kept on riding and riding, whipping the horse to go as fast as possible. When he was hungry or tired, he did not stop because he wanted to cover as much area as possible.
Came to a point when he had covered a substantial area and he was exhausted and was dying. Then he asked himself, "Why did I push myself so hard to cover so much land area? Now I am dying and I only need a very small area to bury myself."
This is what the email said:
The above story is similar with the journey of our Life. We push very hard everyday to make more money, to gain power and recognition. We neglect our health, time with our family and to appreciate the surrounding beauty and the hobbies we love.
One day when we look back, we will realize that we don't really need that much, but then we cannot turn back time for what we have missed.
Life is not about making money, acquiring power or recognition. Life is definitely not about work! Work is only necessary to keep us living so as to enjoy the beauty and pleasures of life. Life is a balance of Work and Play, Family and Personal time. You have to decide how you want to balance your Life. Define your priorities, realize what you are able to compromise but always let some of your decisions be based on your instincts. Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of Life, the whole aim of human existence.
So, take it easy, do what you want to do and appreciate nature. Life is fragile, Life is short. Do not take Life for granted. Live a balanced lifestyle and enjoy Life!
Last week, I had been pushing myself inwards and more inwards when I was thinking of how to go about my future and further studies and at the same time wondering what job can make me more money. I even force myself to picture myself in 10 years time because according to some self-improvement books we should have the picture of ourselves in 10 years time.
But I just can't picture my lifestyle by then. I can't picture in what area I will work in, how much I will be earning, whether I'm married, whether I have kids, whether I'm wealthy, whether I'm already a housewife, whether I'm healthy, whether I am still in Malaysia and etc and etc.
I think my mind has gone out of my body to search for the future that can never be found. Mum told me that I should not think so far ahead coz it will confuse me, things will be alright when I'm there. But I still have my biggest fear that I don't have my future plans with me yet when I'm already 24, which is quite old.
I know mum was right. I just need a catalyst to backup mum's theory. Although this email is very different from what mum was trying to say, but this email is the catalyst that makes me think back what mum told me, plus a bit of Adam's theory.
This catalyst says:
- don't work too hard for money, power and reputation and ruin your health and miss your life with your love ones.
Mum says:
- don't think too much about future, just go on with your life and life will sort it out for you when you go on.
Adam says:
- don't be afraid to try new things that may make you succeed in life. You can't avoid doing anything just to avoid failures. If you think you went to a field you don't like to be in, you can always change field, it won't kill you.
I got a hint from this catalyst. I should not work too hard to picture my future now and ruin my health and miss the precious time to share laughter with family and friends. So, I will try not to force myself to picture the 34 years old me and will just live to the best everyday. And, I will proceed with whatever I think is appropriate to upgrade both my thinking and my qualifications without hesitation now, but of course if my interest sets in. =)
This doesn't mean I'm mentally prepared for PhD. I'll still consider taking master (research-based) if I have the chance. And if I really like writing thesis and doing lab works I will then proceed with PhD.
So, I don't have to decide now... yet. =)
For those of you who put your life into the job you are doing 24-7, remember to eat your meals and sleep enough. You won't want a sick body when you are all successful in the future and are finally ready to have some crazy time or a world tour or someting. Coz by that time you are sick and might be immobile and weak and cannot enjoy life already.
So, balance up your life. When you have time to share time with family, share; when you have time to have some fun, go for it. =)
p/s: I'm really glad that a friend of mine actually took my advice to do some sports (i.e. swimming) to destress. What excited me was that she is feeling great now after swimming. =D
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