Monday, October 24, 2011

Simplicity.........



Chong was one of my Master who thought me the facts of life thirty years ago. I was in the mid thirty and he was in his sixties then. One day over a cup of coffee, I asked him a casual question. If you are to be richer and more successful, Master Chong which new model of Mercedes are you going to change?

A reply I won't forget. He said if I am going to be successful and wealthy, I would change my present old Mercedes to another much older car. Perhaps a Proton is good enough!

I was puzzled and confused! If you have all the money why are you not changing to a brand new car!!! Everybody has dreams to drive an expensive vehicle if they can afford them.

With his wisdom he enlightened my simple mind. Only those who aren't really rich and successful, are crazy to owe branded and expensive cars. The purpose is to show to their surrounding that they are successful and have the creditabilities. This value allows them to conduct business. However when one has reached the highest level of success and wealth, he need not has to prove his value to others anymore. At that point of achievement, his symbol of success doesn't come in with brand or fashion, but rather in simplicity and humbleness. Now I am driving the Mercedes because I haven't reached there yet, but when I'm at the top, any old vehicle is sufficient for me.

It took me thirty years to accept his wise teaching. A lousy student finally follow his advices. Yes! I don't need that dream car anymore.

Food for thought -
“Simplicity is the final achievement. After one has played a vast quantity of notes and more notes, it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art” - Frederic Chopin quotes

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