Email: You don’t understand importance and value of money, appears you’re rich? (HK)
Hey, sheer luck born in an affluent, top political family. Grew up with a silver spoon.
Never ever doubted importance of money but it’s relative significance – how much is good enough, at what cost or sacrifice? We have two choices – chase money or chase development of our core character, charm, capability so money chases us.
Now, what I’ll humbly share isn’t out of defensiveness or pride. It defines who I truly am.
Took a bank loan to fund my MBA in London. Worked before/after school for living expenses. Alternative – family could afford to pay tuition fee for whole batch of students.
Lived in a small studio at a working women’s hostel. Alternative – luxurious 3 bed apartment facing Hyde Park, in London.
As a single mom, walked 2 miles daily with my 5 year old to save $3 bus fare. Alternative – sports or chauffeur-driven luxury car.
Sold gold jewellery once to pay for kid’s school fee. Alternative – family could buy that big jewellery store.
Worked hard up the corporate ladder. Faced many failures, didn’t lose faith. Alternative – comfortably join thriving family business or politics, support family legacy.
Donate substantial portion of pay to charities making a real difference in lives of women, children across the world.
Considered insane by many, except my 5 year old. Intuitively, she knew what I was trying to achieve. Inspired me to explore mysterious unknowns, find true self. Build my identity, strength, worth and value.
She had choice of living luxuriously with grandparents, declined. Eternally grateful for her innocent smiles, unconditional love, support. Brilliant, beautiful medical student now, so proud.
So, money wasn’t ever the driving force. Authenticity, vulnerability, curiosity, creativity, capability, humility, compassion is all we need to attract real balanced success (financial, emotional, intellectual).
Believe, trust in self when no-one does. Success isn’t final, failure isn’t fatal. It’s resilience, courage to continue that counts.