“Old age is the most unexpected of all things that happen to a man. “-Leon Trotsky
I always wonder what I would say to my current self 35 years from now. Am I happy with my life at this moment? Should I change the way I live my life ?
Can you change your future self by writing yourself a letter now?
” How could that be possible?” Defiance fights with curiosity on their faces.
I hope when I am 80 years old, I would ponder this letter, smile and show it to my grandchildren.
Dear H,
Hi, I am turning 80 today. I am contended with what I have so far and I am lucky Junie ( my wife) is still with me.
I hope this letter finds you well. After living this life for 80 years old, I would like to share with you something I find useful living a good life.
Take More Risks
Thanks for taking more risks in investing while you were young. Don’t be afraid to take calculated risks in life. Mark Zuckerberg once said many years ago: “The biggest risk is not taking any risk… In a world that is changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks.“
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. The safest way to live this life is staying home and not taking risks, but life is never meant to be that way.
You have taken lots of risks in life and I am proud of you.
Remember, you cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.
Be A Simple Man
Life doesn’t have to be extravagant to be fulfilling. I am happy you finally realize the importance of simplicity in life.
Be a simple man with a simple life, learn to appreciate small things in life- reading a story book with your children, smelling the scent of morning air, cooking dinner together with your wife.
Finding contentment in simplicity is often missed because we put too much emphasis on other tangible things in life.
I am relieved you understand that pursuit of happiness by materialism is an exercise in futility. Yes, you have changed your lifestyle and I must tell you I am still practising a simple lifestyle you started many years ago.
Don’t overlook things that matter most in life- your family and friendship, your limited time in this life and your relationship with this world.
Live Life to the Fullest
Have regret on things you haven’t done rather than feel sorry at my age that you missed doing somethings while you could.
I have been having severe arthritis for years and most probably will never walk again soon. But I have no regret because you have done almost everything I dreamed for.
You spent time backpacking around many countries while young. I am happy you travelled extensively with the kids too while still having strong joints.
Keep it alive. Life is nothing more than experiences you want to tell your children or grandchildren when we are old.
Thanks for making my life so colourful that I have endless interesting stories to tell our grandchildren now.
Take good care of yourself
Stay healthy and active. Don’t take health for granted. I am happy you never picked up any bad habit in life such as drinking, smoking and excessive eating.
No one can promise you a healthy body and I know you understand this after working as a physician for many years. A healthy body translate into a happy and productive life.
Although my body is fading away at this age but I am grateful I had lived a healthy and active life for the last 70 years +.
Although you have a busy work schedule with never ending deadlines and emergencies, take a break while you can and breath some fresh air outside the hospital compound, I promise you a better sleep after work.
Find a balance between work and family. Remember Brian Dyson said about the 5 balls of life metaphor?
“Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them work, family, health, friends and spirit. And you’re keeping all of these in the air. You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls – family, health, friends and spirit – are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life.”
Appreciate what you have
I just came back from a morning walk in Botanical Garden. It is easy to feel hopeful on a beautiful morning like this. But soon you would find out many adversities await us in future. There will be days you feel helpless, alone and defeated. And that’s the time you realize how lucky you are. You have all the people around you who love you. Appreciate those people and what you have at this moment, no matter how inadequate you think you are, or how lost you feel.
You must promise me, we have to be greater than what people think we are. Failures and adversity in life are just changing seasons that come and go. They will never stay forever.
And even if we fail, what better way is there to live? I would rather fail trying hard than never try before.
Till then HK, bye for now.
Cheers,
Your future self. 2055
I hope you enjoy reading my letter. My letter gives me motivation to carry on with what I am doing at this moment.
What do I really want to be like when I am 80?
1. I want to be a active and healthy 80 year old who still manage to walk and enjoy my morning exercise.
2. I still can enjoy what I enjoy most- travelling and backpacking if my health still allows me.
3. Seeing my children grow up to be good people, have their own life and their own families.
4. I can still write and blog about investing and life and there are still people who enjoy reading my ‘grandfather’ stories.
I hope that you too choose to sit down one day, have a deep reflection and write a letter from your 80 year old self!
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