November 15, 2011

I am “not there yet”

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Someone asked me why I decided to take life easy and slowed down while I am still at a “workable” age. He told me “You have to look forward, move forward, keep going, don’t slow down and if you still can, go for it”. I want to ask … move forward, keep going for what? Keep slogging for more so that I can show people that I have made it?

Back in the days when I was working with a luxury car company, I did some focus groups (research) on luxury car owners of a well known brand. I asked them what their thoughts were when they bought that expensive brand. All of them agreed that driving that particular brand, they are able to tell people the message “I have arrived” … meaning they have made it in life. 

Now, I don’t drive that particular expensive brand of luxury car nor do I own any other luxury car brands … I just cannot afford one. So what does that mean? I am “not there yet”? So I need to keep moving, keep working for more (while I am still "workable") … then I can show people that “I have arrived”? Nope ... that's not for me.

I looked and moved forward already … many years ago I set my goals, worked very hard, chased after my dreams … slowly, over the years, I managed to come to where I am now. Though I do not have anything to show but I too can proudly say that “I have arrived” to where I wanted to be. 

For now I can slow down. I don’t want to keep moving and chasing for more. I want to stay where I am, do what I enjoy and live the simple life the way I want. I am taking life and doing things at an easy pace. So I am staying put … that doesn’t mean I am slacking backwards in life … I am learning new things, absorbing new ideas and keeping up with new innovations that help make my life a lot easier.

Do I look forward now? Yes … I just look forward to a simple healthy life. That’s good enough. Don’t need to look forward too much … at my age if I looked a bit too far, I see death … now, I am definitely not looking forward to that. And for that matter, I am very glad to say I am “not there yet”.
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7 comments:

  1. Remember what I said once? Everyone has got a mountain to climb, whether its the Everest, Kinabalu or Tahan or the Alps. Not everyone aspire to climb the Everest and not everyone would even like to climb a mountain or for that matter even Gasing Hill. We need to be contented with what we have, so as for you, as long as you are happy, so be it. We do not need to compare with other people or show off to others. Thats the way to lead life. You are there already my friend, so dont worry.
    CK

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  2. Thanks Boss ... you are the one who gave me the opportunities that enable me to come to where I am today.

    Really, you have guided me well and have never looked down on me even when I was at the lowest point of my life. I will never forget that.

    Many many thanks to you :)

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  3. Hi, stumble into your blog. Wow...lots of good stuff here. I live in Puchong and just started taking treking little seriously. Hopefully can join you and your group one day.

    I can relate to what you said in this article. Well said!

    Cheers!

    George

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  4. Hi George ... thanks for the comment on my blog ... good to know that you are seriously picking up trekking ... please leave me an email address or mobile phone and maybe I can drop you a note when we go trekking next time.

    This Saturday (19th NOV) we will be going to Gunung Datuk (Rembau) ... you are welcome to join us. Contact me at shiekstone@gmail.com.

    Cheers !

    Shiek

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  5. I refuse to climb a hill/mountain unless there's a cable car going up.

    Literally and metaphorically speaking.

    But I feel like I have "arrived" too ;)


    Charity

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  7. Hey Doc ... how a person "arrived" to where they want to be doesn't really matter ... as long as they know they have "arrived" :)

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