just in case I die, here’s a message to you my son.
Firstly, I love you. Your mother loves you and lots of people you’re going to meet soon love you. You’re perfect.
We’ve been told you’re cute, really, really cute. And that’s true 😉 But that’s not what’s important in life. What I wish for you is to have character. And to enjoy life as much as you can. Try your best to have a positive impact on the world.
Your Chinese name is Lok. I don’t speak Chinese unfortunately but I asked your cousin uncle Jerry for some help. I wanted the word for positivity and enthusiasm. This is Lok.
Here’s some wisdom for you:
Suck the marrow out of life. Travel, love, learn, do, fail, struggle, laugh, compete, dance, create, procreate, produce, read, swim, run, climb, write, paint. Do and try as much as you can!
Be brave. This easier said than done. Lord knows your father could have been braver. But it’s a value worth lionising because it’s rare and because it’s divine. It will feel good to be brave and it will help you achieve your dreams.
Count your blessings. Feeling grateful for how lucky you are in life will help you feel happier. You could have been born into a much less fortunate place with health problems. You weren’t and this means you were lucky. Live your days like you know this.
Be kind to people. Be kind to your friends and your family. Be helpful. Be useful to them. Be someone they can rely on. Without other people, life means nothing. Enjoy them.
Learn things. Read the great books. Watch the great movies. See the great paintings. Eat the great foods. Understand as much about the world and other cultures as possible.
Know that you don’t know that much. I nicked this from Socrates. But it’s true. Don’t think that you know it all because you don’t. In fact, it will probably hurt you to think that you do know everything.
Love the Truth. Truth is the only way that you’ll learn where you really are and from there you can improve. Speak truth to yourself first. Then carefully to others after that.
Find good friends and nurture your friendships. Long friendships have a depth it’s impossible to replicate. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start new friendships though. Make friends with people of different ages, countries, cultures, beliefs. There’s nothing that can’t be bridged over a beer or food or both.
Find a good wife (or life partner). Looks aren’t important. Genuinely. Compatibility is the key. Enjoy being in each other’s company with lots of shared values and the rest will fall into place. Be kind to each and look after each other’s hearts.
Be good with money. Money isn’t everything but being bad with it will hurt your life. Being good with it will give you options. Save 10% of your earnings and carefully invest half of this. Start early and the power of compounding has a chance.
Be generous. With your time, your affection, your positive energy, your love, your money, your praise, your encouragement, your inspiration.
Develop your strengths and work on your weaknesses. There’s no such thing as a fixed weakness. You can always improve something. Find a teacher and practice.
Be physically fit. Taking care of your body will reap dividends for the rest of your life. Get down the gym and get strong. Do some cardio so that you can climb mountains if you want to.
Develop determination. When you want to give up on something, carry on a little bit more. Do some challenges. Inspire others to go above and beyond.
Aim for excellence. Why make an average pizza when you could make a great pizza? Excellence is its own reward but people will give you things for it too.
Smile a lot and laugh a lot. Because life is to be enjoyed! Surround yourself with happy people. Life’s too short for hanging around drains.
Dream big. Because why not!
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
― Mary Oliver
Don’t take the above as gospel. These are things off the top of my head as I watch you nap. Do make your own list too and pass it onto your own children.
I love you son.
Your Dad xxx
written on 30th Dec 2019