Hi all,
A very interesting topic and I would like to share my views on this....
I think it all boils down to your expectations in life. To some, career comes before anything, so they are prepared to work very hard, until the day their health takes a toil on them.
To others, they lead a simple life, getting the necessities, staying in a flat, take public transport, enjoying simple meals etc.
I guess in Asian culture, most of us have the tendancy to impress others with what we have. From the time you started schooling, you must aim for the best primary school, secondary schools etc.
When you enter the workforce, you must strive for the respectable jobs, eg finance sector, law, medical etc.
When friends meet, the usual question they ask is where are you working, staying, what car you drive etc.
When wives meet, they compare what their husbands do....
I am also caught up in all these, hence I am also trying to sit back, think about what I have been doing all these years, and whether is it worth putting in so much into your career at the expense of spending time with your family. It is easier said than done, especially if you have already put in much efforts to get where you are today. But sometimes, I think it is better to stop and reflect rather than to go blindly in what you are doing.
"Life's a journey, but sometimes, it is better to slow down or even stop to smell the roses along the way rather than running blindly towards your final destination. When you reach there, you may find that all that you have given up or sacrificed is not worth it after all"
Michael