When I quit
a good paying job and sort of “retired” at a rather early age, taking things
easier at my own pace … many were surprised. They asked … how can one stopped
working so early with two young children, house mortgages, loans and other financial
commitments … unless he is loaded, very loaded.
And many
people speculate … yes, many of my peers and even some of my closest friends
were thinking that I must have tons of money stashed up somewhere. Some said I
was dabbling in some online ventures, while others thought that I may have made
big money in the fish spa business that were very popular at that time. A few
simply said … “kena” lottery jorrr.
At that
time, I wrote … “How much is enough?” … trying to tell people that I really
don’t need a lot.
Lately, a
long time family friend came to visit and we were talking about our lives,
living, children, health, activities and all that. Somewhere in the
conversation, he said to me … “Shiek, you must have a lot … your children go
to private school/university, you have no worries , no house mortgages or loans
and free from financial woes”
I told him
like I told everyone else …”I have enough”
Now, the
million dollar question is … how much is enough?
I can stop
working at a rather early age because I stopped chasing. I decided to opt out
of the race to chase for position, recognition and possession.
I do not
have any more house mortgages because I did not buy or change new house. All my
peers are now living in a bigger, better, cozier and much more expensive houses
than me. I am still living in a one-storey house that I bought more than two decades ago ... the roof is leaking, re-painted over a dozen of times and filled with DIY furniture and fixtures.
I did not
buy a new car … instead I bought a stubborn 24 years old "pre-loved" Proton Wira
so I can use some of the money left to put my kids into good tertiary education
and sad to say, I only have enough to afford them in local universities.
While other
post photos of their lunches and dinners and other culinary experiences at
hotels, restaurants and popular renown outlets … my family and I ate mostly at home. I
only have photos of my home cooked recipes and occasional photos of “fish ball”
noodles in Mahkota Cheras and “laksa” at Madras Lane to show on social media.
Many of my friends traveled to popular exotic attractions around the world … I went to Can Tho, Surat Thani, Palembang and a few fairly cheap places in the region that many have not even
heard before.
OK, I have said this
many times and I say it again … don’t get me wrong ya … there is nothing wrong
in chasing for success, recognition and possession. Many people successfully
built their careers and lives by working very hard chasing for opportunities. They will
enjoy the fruits of their successes … they have every right to show their
successes with better living, better lifestyles, luxuries and pleasures.
So, how
much is enough? It depends.
Everyone has a different yardstick to measure how much is enough … there is no right or wrong
to it. Of course one will have to work harder if you want better and if you
want more.
You see, I
am a lazy fella and you know what? My boss used to say … if you have
difficult or complicated problems to solve, give it to Shiek … he will definitely
find the easiest way out.
Now having
said that … I am not saying that I am not hard working. Just not so hard working
like many of my peers … some who are still chasing their dreams. For me, I am
too lazy to dream now … I seek the easy way out … I look for memories.
I stopped
working long time ago not because I am loaded or I have some big online
businesses or I “kena” lottery jorrr. It is because my yardstick to measure how
much is enough for me and my family is short … very very short.
Or in other words
… I am just blardy lazy.
