Lessons at 38

My first experience in vaulting

Today is my birthday and I am 38 years old (already!). Time goes so quickly that I don’t want to waste time anymore. I used to do things what I felt like but after living 38 years on earth, I truly understand I have limited resources, i.e. time, money and energy. I need to structure my day so as to keep me well. This may be a moment of mid-life crisis. Anyway, here it is my lessons at 38.

Enjoy awkward conversations
After I left Hong Kong, almost all friendships started with awkward conversations. I have an urge to fit into a new community but I think this is really good for everyone. Start talking with people with different cultural backgrounds, professions, anything different from your life. They will open your eyes and take you to different perspectives that you could ever imagine. While I was in Fiji, I met a lady who worked in Afghanistan for United Nations. She said all UN staff worked in a compound. If they have to leave the compound for a meeting, they must go with a police officer. Their stress is not about workload but the risk of kidnapping. While driving in the desert, you could never stop the car for whatever reasons. Small terrorists want to sell you to big terrorist groups to earn lots of money. My jaw was dropping! When she could manage this stress level, I don't want to complain anything, I know I have to keep my chin up. While I am in Perth, I meet a young lady who has 2 horses. From my point of view, having a horse in the backyard is as special as having an orangutan. She was a vaulting championship. She can do a headstand on a horse’s back and she can stand on the horse’s back while the
horse is galloping!!!
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Spend wisely
I couldn’t count how much money I spent that was a waste of money. I guess it is a learning process to figure out what you really pay for when you decide to buy something. While I still worked in a bank, I travelled to Europe for a holiday and bought a handbag, costing $5,000. I bought this because I would have to pay $7,000 for the same bag if I bought it in Hong Kong. I thought I saved $2,000. I forgot $5,000 dollar can be spent for another exotic experience that I can learn and explore. Then,... I hardly use it. After using it, I had to massage the surface of the bag with a special leather cloth so it keeps shiny. What a burden! I still like this beautiful handbag, but I’d rather just stare at it for a few minutes when I read fashion magazine.
 
Sometimes I still pay extra for convenience or what I love but most of the time I  assess how I can better use of the money. It’s all about balance. I learn to be a rational buyer and know what I pay for. Is that what I need, or what I want? How am I going to use it or  will it be just sitting in the house forever? Do I pay for a symbolic image, and its operating cost? Just need cool down and analyse, rather than impulse purchase and let the emotions run over my head. 

Health is wealth
Everyone wants a healthy life. Who is looking for pain? Nobody.
Not until I lost a range of motions and had serious neck and back pain, I realized it has to take an effort consistently for a vibrant health and being able to age gracefully. I forgot about keeping myself well by a balanced diet and workout, but I reached out to gain something else. When I focused on something then I neglected some other things. One day, my muscles and joints just stopped working properly. It’s so important to step back and review how I spend my day. Did I earn money for paying medical bills? Yes. Did I feel unfulfilled and emptiness? Yes. I knew that I had to make a change in my lifestyle. I still enjoy working very hard. I run my yoga business, and it is interesting and challenging. However, I do take good care of my body and mind for a sustainable living.  

Today I am blessed. I am grateful I’ve met many interesting people, stay-at-home mum with a PHD., a paediatrician who can swim from Cottesloe to Rottnest, a diplomat who is a good cook, and many others who are committed to be a better version of themselves. I am grateful I live in a country that I can enjoy liberty rights of having all the access to gain wisdom around the world and not being brainwashed. 

Have you learned something interesting that you want to share with me? Leave me a comment below.
 
By the way, thank you for all the Birthday wishes.

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