17 July 2024, 8:00 AM: Breakfast at McDonald’s
9:10 AM: In flight again
While reflecting and writing, I realized something about myself: I’m incredibly driven to maximize the resources I’m given. This probably stems from my childhood. My mom was one of the most capable people I’ve ever known. She could accomplish so much in a single day. Everyone around us – my family, friends, church community – would say the same: “Your mom’s the last dinosaur on earth! A superwoman!” It seems my mom truly enjoyed this reputation. Unknowingly, she became my benchmark for excellence. I wanted to make the most of every 24 hours, as if there were actually 48.
Could I allocate more time and leave a bigger buffer for appointments? Absolutely. But there’s a deep satisfaction in fully utilizing every second. Over the years, I’ve strived to maximize every moment of my life. There are pros and cons to this approach. While I’ve become more efficient with time, I’ve also become less patient with idle moments. To me, doing nothing feels unbearable.
The Power of Leverage
While my mom is undeniably far more skilled and efficient with her time than I am, there are areas where I excel. Recognizing that I couldn’t outsmart her in terms of time management, I shifted my focus towards leveraging collaboration to achieve a “1+1>3” effect. Over time, I believe I’ve achieved more and spent less time than my mom by leveraging resources and building collaborations for a positive community impact.
A Brush with Mortality
We just experienced some turbulence. The entire plane was shaking violently, as if it might tear apart. I heard women screaming, starting with a few panicked shouts, then escalating to full-blown terror. It reminded me of a similar reflection I had earlier: “What if I couldn’t make it back home?” This experience has reinforced the importance of not taking life and death for granted.
Living a Purposeful Life
Family movie nights are a cherished tradition in our household. Last week, we watched a cartoon movie “Dragonkeeper.” One particular quote resonated deeply: “Don’t worry about how you’re going to die. Worry about how you’re going to live.” This quote reminds us that death is inevitable. Instead of fearing it, we should focus on making the most of the time we have and living a life filled with purpose.
Without a clear vision for your life, you can’t truly start living. You’ll just be chasing after fleeting success, like grasping at the wind. Why chase the wind? Because the definition of success changes over time. Different eras have different standards. But can you define what success means for you?
Family: The Core of My Purpose
For me, family is the core. Everything I do revolves around them. My leadership at work must ultimately enrich me as a father and husband back home. Business, career, and financial gain must support my family. My mission shouldn’t come at the expense of their well-being. My pursuit of health and fitness is driven by a sense of responsibility for them. I build communities that can better support families. I love my wife because it’s the best gift I can give my children. I strive to live a God-fearing life because the greatest legacy I can leave them is the ability to draw strength and guidance from God to achieve purposes greater than themselves.
God as My Guiding Light
Perhaps it sounds like family is the ultimate purpose I pursue. Not exactly. First and foremost, I see God as the purpose of life itself. This belief guides how I choose to live, what to prioritize, and what to let go of. Building a family aligns with God’s heart’s desire for humanity. Having more children than I initially planned reflects the biblical principle of fruitfulness and multiplication. Once this family unit is formed, I commit to nurturing and protecting it for the rest of my life.
Looking back, I never fully grasped the profound impact of these choices when I was younger. I simply obeyed and experienced the inherent goodness that followed. Becoming a father has been an incredible upgrade. It completely transforms you into someone far greater than you used to be. Why? Because your focus shifts from yourself to your loved ones. That’s a powerful transformation.
A Day in the Life: Juggling Priorities
Yesterday was a fruitful day, both at work and at home. Here’s a glimpse into my typical routine:
7:00 AM: Wake up, get myself and the kids ready. I remind them to pack their swimsuits for our planned swim date. The car ride to school becomes a sacred space for morning prayer and scripture memory. Once I drop them off, it’s off to work.
Tuesday is our core team meeting with top leadership. Thankfully, these meetings have become more efficient, wrapping up in just 3 hours (previously a grueling 6!). This freed up time to run errands and explore new possibilities. By the end of the day, we had achieved something significant, an important milestone, giving me peace of mind before our trip to Taiwan.
The Importance of Family Time
5:15 PM: Pick up the kids. As promised, we head to the pool for a swim. While they enjoy the water, I squeeze in a quick gym session – a blessing with the convenience of Teega right beside both the school and my workplace. After my workout, I join them for a quick 10-lap swim – a classic part of our daily routine.
Once we’re done at the pool, it’s time to head home. Walking back, I couldn’t help but smile as my 3 kids followed close behind me, just like 3 cute little puppies.
6:30 PM: Dinner Time
A quick shower for the kids, and then we gather for dinner. They’re cooperative because they know a movie night awaits – the unfinished “Dragonkeeper.” Enjoying this meal together is a rare treat, as our schedules often keep us apart.
7:00 PM: Movie Night
After setting up the movie, I let the kids know I’ll be out for an hour and should be back by the movie’s end. With a settled house, I take my wife out for a much-needed date night.
7:30 PM: Couples Massage and Coaching
Since our actual date night falls on Wednesday (which I’ll miss due to the trip), this massage session serves as a substitute. Surprisingly, attending my usual (often mentally taxing) Dr. Elias coaching session via Zoom while getting a massage turned out to be a surprisingly relaxing experience. The quiet environment, free from the usual kid-induced chaos, allowed me to focus completely on the coaching session.
8:45 PM: A Surprise Birthday Celebration
After finishing the coaching session, I picked up a small cheesecake for my eldest son, Aden. Throughout the movie, he’d been texting and calling me excitedly, wanting to know where I was taking him for his birthday McDonald’s trip. When they saw us enter, they were simply happy for a McDonald’s run before bedtime.
But this simple celebration at McD had more meaning. A few days ago, Aden expressed a simple birthday wish: McDonald’s. Given the uncertainty of my travel schedule, I wanted to fulfill his wish. To make it even more special, I incorporated a quick “PEN session” (Praise, Encourage, Nurture) with him. I expressed my appreciation for him as our eldest son and praised him for being a great brother. I encouraged him to continue growing as a kind and responsible person, nurturing his God-fearing spirit. Seeing the happiness on his face when I told him he could make a wish as we blew out the single french fry “candle” was truly touching. Even though he shyly requested a quieter song, I decided to playfully sing a loud rendition of “Happy Birthday.” The surprise attracted the attention of the McDonald’s staff, who even joined in the singing! They even brought over three small ice creams for us as a reward – a simple yet meaningful celebration that truly warmed my heart.
10:30 pm – Putting the Kids to Sleep
Finally, I got the kids to sleep while packing my luggage for my upcoming trip to Taiwan. My flight leaves at 5:30 am tomorrow, and I’m feeling grateful for being a quick packer. It only takes me 15 minutes!
I’ve always enjoyed utilizing this efficiency to spend more time with my family. Over the next 7 days that I’ll be gone, I’ll miss things like date night, our Thursday jogs with the kids, Aden’s birthday celebration, and movie night. But all of these things, I can recreate in one special evening together.
As you can see, my life revolves around my family. It’s not a chore, but a true enjoyment for me. With that, I’ve stopped looking externally for excitement and meaning in life. Spending time with my family brings me such joy that it’s clear I’ve found what truly matters.
I’ll stop here for now and update you all on my adventures in Taiwan soon!
Leave a Reply