Blog What is Real? Finding Purpose Beyond Material Success
What is Real? Finding Purpose Beyond Material Success
A teacher's honest reflection on comparing material success with students, confronting decades-old mindsets, and discovering that true purpose lies not in possessions or skills, but in influencing others to live the life they choose. A personal journey from envy to enlightenment, inspired by Conversations with God.
Yesterday - Friday, I had an evening class with 24 students. At around 9:30pm, we were about to dismiss the class and call it a day—call it a week. You could feel the tired but excited atmosphere as every students looked forward to the weekend. I overheard a student's conversation that caught my attention. A student said:
“Joey didn't drive tonight, so you can take my car home”.
My instant thought was:
“Students have car, but I don’t. They are so rich.”
Note that having a car in Hong Kong is a luxury—though not a necessity—unlike in many other countries. Then I thought:
“I'm their teacher, helping them grow and upgrade their skills. Yet they already have a car that I don’t. Who need the help now?”
Then, my old self-comfort mind came to help—it's been there for decades.
“No, I have something they don't. I have my IT skills, my passion of education, strong mindset, etc.!"
But Then, What Is Real?
I know this thinking is wrong. Not because of those grand philosophical theories that I’m not going to quote here. It is so wrong because this thinking can’t lead me to who I want to be. I've known this for half a year now from a book series called the Conversation with God. However, I still need time to shift a mindset I've held for over four decades.
Then I thought: what is the most important thing in life then?
Obviously not money I earn, not the car I own. They’re only real in this material world.
They’re very good in when we’re in still here in this world. Don’t get me wrong. I still like to have them. But they’re not the most important thing in life.
Then is it the skills I've trained? I don't think so either.
Skill that I like, like IT technology, AI automation. They're valuable tools that help me earn money. It helps me automate my daily works, so that I have resource and time to do the most important thing in life!
I still haven’t answer my own question.
I actually know it deep in my heart. I want to influence others and help them realize that all of us can live the life we want and choose.
Therefore, there is no single purpose—no right or wrong purposes. Just purpose.
All the others are illusions.
Be the Light!
I’m so clear now my IT skills has two purposes. One is that it actually help to finish jobs that is not so important but necessary in our live. Send is this is a channel that I can communicate with those in the same field or understand the language. The technology field is quite far from the spiritual. So I can be the bridge between.
I'm Alvin Cheung, an IT pro with 15+ years helping businesses level up their tech. I love finding everyday wisdom and exploring how tech and spirituality can enhance our lives. When I'm not geeking out on IT solutions, I'm sharing stories about personal growth and life lessons.
Email: alvin.cheung@nstrlabs.com
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