Lead a worthwhile but simple life ….
This is a personal post about myself, my dreams & ambitions….and how much I’ve changed in the last 10 years.
When I was a kid, people would tell me that I’m going to be a successful person and I’m going to start my own business…be my own boss…and most importantly, be rich. Yes, people (relatives and family friends) have been telling me that even when I was just 4 or 5 years old.
When I was in secondary school, people would tell me that I’m going to be my own boss, and again..be rich. Until one point that I myself started telling my heart that i am going to be rich. I will become the next Alvin Pintu-Pintu (a.k.a. Bill Gates of Malaysia) and have my own office building…… Yes, you got that right – my own office building. That WAS my dream back then.
Since then, I’ve been thinking about that dream without even thinking how to actually get there in the first place. But people change with time……things do change as well. I’ve changed.
The Alvin now, just want a simple life (and i used to think that those who want a simple and easy life are actually wasting their life away….how foolish i was back then). But I also want a life worth living.
I don’t need to be THAT rich or to have my own building. Those are the definitions of success from other people. My current definition of success is to have a meaningful life which contribute to the society by doing what I am passionate about. Maybe that’s why I am thinking of venturing into the creative works industry – game design, animation, arts, story-telling, etc.
I no longer need those big houses, big cars, big office buildings (though they are nice to have…but having them don’t guarantee happiness in my life)…..i would rather have the ability to leave a positive mark in the society then having all that.
Maybe some people would call me foolish…. but as Steve Jobs said “Stay hungry, stay foolish”. It’s not that bad 
my mom said I can be a lawyer, my grandparents said I will be a doctor and I will have a nice car and big house.
Haha~adults are so imaginative la~ Now, I could neither be a lawyer nor doctor.
Although I wanted to do what I like, but still.. I have to face the reality.
Good luck in your job!
Toc
27 Jun 08 at 10:14 pm
some people think the “big” in “dream big” means big house, big car etc. Glad that you realized dreaming big isn’t necessarily about gaining material goods.
almost loved
28 Jun 08 at 6:05 am
@ Toc
mmm, maybe to them, those are the “proper paths” that one should go to when they are older? those jobs do earn a lot anyway.
reality could be harsh at times but if u r doing wat u like, then it won’t be all that bad.
good luck to u too.
i havent change job la, i’m still in my IT programmer job. hahaha
@ almost loved
Dream BIG can have different meanings and to most people, it’s about gaining luxury stuff…esp in Asian culture. Maybe that’s why it’s pretty hard for us to be innovative n creative like the Japanese?
Alvin Lim
28 Jun 08 at 10:37 am
Oh. Bravo! That’s a real good move. Realistic enough as well.
seaqueen00
28 Jun 08 at 6:01 pm
hmn…when we have dreams, we will have motivation or inspiration to make the dreams come true…our dreams not neccessary huge for instance to be the richest person in malaysia or the world…but we should have dreams that can lead us to a new era of life…big house, big car and big sum amount in your FD…these, i believe, if you have faith, you can done that…
about the YOURS BUILDING..this one, not easy, as you can see, 80s, 70s or even 90s..many businessmen can build their business empires easier than now this 21st century..agree?
sugarbaby
28 Jun 08 at 11:13 pm
@ seaqueen00
hahah, sometimes big dreams don seem realistic at all.
@ sugarbaby
u’ll be surprised that some people’s dreams are not about things that can lead them to a new era of life like big houses, big cars, etc. after all, those are still considered material stuff. wat can a BMW do for u when u are not fulfilling ur life’s purpose?
but those are up to the individuals. there’s nothing wrong to have a dream which is to own big cars.
again, if u think it’s tough, then it’s tough. an office building can also mean a small double storey house with my company name printed on the roof or something……. or a building which is as big as telekom tower.
Alvin Lim
29 Jun 08 at 12:33 am
it’s very hard you know, when you live in a world with people defining what success is to you. Like in school, getting “A”s in your entire report card is what will make you successful in the future this kind of things, and because of such thoughts, so many students have even gone to the extreme of taking their own lives just because they have missed one subject.
Then there are a lot of doctors or lawyers, (those professions parents always mention to their kids) find themselves not liking what they are doing. They take up the majors just because their parents or everyone else think they should do them.
It’s sad to know just how many people out there are chasing NOT their own dreams. It’s sad that everyone is caught in the rat race, not knowing how to get out.
Well, you’re lucky. You have your own dreams. And cherish them. Best of luck. =)
- c H i E n -
29 Jun 08 at 2:39 am
@ chien
Yea, our education system is pretty much result oriented. It’s not good at all. You don’t allow people to dream big….and from the past experience, people should know that an A student does not mean he/she can survive in the working world.
People should also know that being a typical lawyer or doctor might not be the best thing for the child. True, they might earn more….. but when the supply is too much, the demand will go down….and their pay will go down also.
Hmm, once you are in the rat race, it’s very very hard for you to get out esp in our culture. I am already in one and i’m finding it hard for me to get out. It’s not easy, but it’s not impossible.
Alvin Lim
29 Jun 08 at 3:51 pm
“My current definition of success is to have a meaningful life which contribute to the society by doing what I am passionate about.”
It’s wise to use the word “current”, as our thoughts can change from time to time. I hope blogging is part of your definition of “meaningful life”
Apple
11 Jul 08 at 1:10 pm
@ Apple
we can never predict our future or where our path leads us in a few months/years time. but as Steve Jobs said…….in the end, you’ll find that things happen for a reason……..and u’ll be able to connect the dots.
Alvin Lim
11 Jul 08 at 10:46 pm