Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
There is a famous Chinese proverb:
“A day’s course is set at morning’s break,
A year’s hope springs when blossoms wake,
A life’s worth is won by toil’s own sake.”
Life is about aspiration, and planning turns aspiration into reality. Goal setting is the start, followed by an action plan and execution.
Children living in poverty or in war zones cannot plan for today—tomorrow is a luxury. Children from wealthy families do not have to plan; whether they like it or not, their parents plan for them. From toddler to child, and from child to adult, parents act as strategists, monitoring growth and development like a CEO. Is the life of a poor child—or a wealthy one—a curse or a blessing?
I did set my career goals and planned meticulously, with specific achievements along the path. A goal, being a far-sighted vision, must encompass a set of objectives and timelines to accomplish it. Operating within this framework, I walked through my chosen career from start to retirement. In any context, planning is necessary, for failing to plan is planning to fail. While planning is essential as a kickoff, it does not guarantee success—even when contingency measures are written into every plan.
The Bible says, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21). The literal meaning is obvious, but the depth of the verse requires personal downfall or severe hardship to truly witness its truth.
In my career, I was not ambitious but aspirational, following nothing but the Way and the Truth—even at the cost of forsaking higher achievements. Yet I slept in peace despite hardship or persecution, for I knew who is the ultimate Judge whom everyone will face on Judgment Day.
If God wills, and I have ten more years to serve Him on earth, I will continue with my best efforts to serve Christ in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit—for anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men (Romans 14:17–18).
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Forgetting Busyness ~✨
The spring rain comes to renew the earth.
The autumn wind blows to awaken the dreamer’s dreams.
In a blink—summer’s gone, and winter’s here again.
Swiftly life passes, several decades gone.
Spring rain is my delight, but autumn wind is my favourite.
Toils and cares never cease—and neither does joyous joy.
If there’s no sowing, how can there be gain?
If youth is idle, old age will lament.
I can but hope for many more springs and autumns.
The footprints of the past, I shall seek no more.
I shall count my days, and I shall count all my blessings.
Forgetting the busy times—only to be busy once again.
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Proverbs 2:20–21
“Thus you will walk in the ways of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it.”
✨✨💖 ~
en yan hua fang 