With my priorities, passion and mission becoming clearer in
recent months, I started to wonder why I wasn’t able to reach these conclusions
sooner. It all seems so straight forward in hindsight, and oh boy, it would
have saved me a lot of heartaches and hassle. Of course, I understand that without
the confusion and trying times, I couldn’t have realized how lost I was and
found a path leading to a new destination.
If I traveled back in time to tell early-20s me about all
this, he would laugh at me in between his seventh and eighth beer bongs. I have
no regrets with past actions whatsoever, just part of the journey to get to
where I’m now, which is a good place.
My son Eric turned 14 in December. I found myself reminiscing
about life at 14, which was the year I first moved to the US for boarding
school. It was a big year for me, turning from a boy to a young man.
So I really wanted to give him some word of wisdom, something
fatherly, to protect him from mistakes that I have made. I thought about sharing
my new-found wellness, but it is such a heavy topic. Would he even get it? Is
it suitable?
I thought back again to when I was 14. What was I like? What
were my interests? Who was I hanging out with etc.?
Then it dawned on me! When I was 14, I already understood what
I only recently rediscovered, and was living the life that I am now attempting
to recapture.
It was only later in life that I lost my way while trying to
climb the corporate ladder, make money, impress girls, build business networks
and the list goes on and on. I abandoned my strengths and focused on my
weaknesses. I forgot about my passion and chased after uncontrollable and
insignificant validations.
I had it when I was 14, and so does Eric right now, and don’t
want him to forget it.
So here is what I wrote to him (translated from Chinese).
14 years old. All grown up. In another 6 months, you’ll
probably be taller than me. I saw your growth the past year, and am truly
happy for and proud of the progress you have made. It's not easy studying under Taiwan’s education system. I have noticed your new-found dedication
to school work, I believe it will pay off soon. Today is your 14th
birthday. I want to point out 14 of your many strengths. Please don’t
ever forget them.
1. good with people
2. calm
3. optimistic
4. never superficial
5. never materialistic
6. love for the
outdoor and sports
7. already a veteran of 5 half-marathons (even though I made
you run them)
8. patient
9. loves your family
10. talent and interest in dance, piano and computer
programming
11. generous
12. a good friend
13. kind
14. courage to try new things
You can also follow my running adventures on https://www.facebook.com/pages/3-dudes-on-ultra-mission/271137916280936 or https://twitter.com/williewenli
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| Dec 2012, father, son and birthday cake |
Just read your article on Mind Body Green. We are the same person! Just trying to figure out what in health and fitness I want to do....it's scary but like you said, you have to do something you love and the success will come! Starting my yoga teacher training tomorrow. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeletethanks for taking the time to comment. It's scary for sure, but ain't it fun!? haha. let me know about your yoga training. I plan to give yoga a try after March when I will have a bit more time. my buddy is one of the best yoga instructor in taipei, and I've been talking to him a lot. He actually knew that he wanted to be a yoga instructor since high school, and it took him many years and many twist and turns, but he realized his goal. very inspirational for me. good luck on your journey.
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