To My Brother 1: Achievements

I figure that try as hard as I can, there are only so many lessons I can impart to you. Lest I ever lose the fervor with which I try to convince you, sway you over to the dark (and suave and handsome) side, here's my first attempt to reach out to you in writing. And since you have just embarked on your JC life this week, well, I will first relate to you my thoughts on achievements.

In a nutshell, the next two years are going to be rollercoaster years, as you go experience things you've never experienced before. I don't want you to end up like me, leaving school with so many loose ends and regrets, so below are some guidelines I am sure you will do well to remember.

1. Figure out what you want from life.

Yes, it is a very tall request, but you must begin now. Small steps count as well. On the way home, instead of thinking about the test you have yet to study for, or when that cute girl in your OG will ask you for another Rain Dance, project yourself one year, two years, three years ahead. If you can visualize yourself forty years from now, what will be the one thing that will still keep you going, keep you smiling? Then keep that one thing close to you, and you will find your own windy path through life guided invisibly by your own personal purpose. The unconsidered life is one not worth living.

2. Learn the art of sacrifice.

And not just blind sacrifice, but purposeful, meaningful sacrifice. All the trashy Japanese comics we've been reading over the years do have one recurrent theme that does make sense - only when you find something truly worth protecting, dying for, do you fill yourself with the drive and energy to be all that you can be. Though the going will always be tough, the sacrifices you make to preserve the people you love will always be worth it, in the end. The sweetest satisfaction only comes when you live for others, not yourself.

3. Compare to improve, not compare to compete.

My CT told me once that if you want to compare with others, no matter how good you are you will never stop comparing. I guess the Chinese say it best - There Are Skies Outside Of Skies. When you see how others can do so much more with the same 24 hours you too possess, you will often be inspired to realize your full potential. Yet, the moment you allow envy to touch your heart, comparing will no longer serve as a driving force, but to twist you and blind you to all the things you should be thankful for. You are who you are.

4. Study hard.

You saw this one coming, didn't you? I don't care what you think, in my opinion you're still as mature as Spongebob Squarepants, so for goodness sakes just listen and study hard. When you end your JC life with the grades you want, and all the paths you want to explore are fully open to you, then you can go and be as big a monkey as you want. Choose your options freely, rather than let your options force you to make a choice.

Remember, cherish every moment of the next two years, and don't regret anything. Heck, I regret all the way back to kindergarten, when I played too much and got retained for three years.