Some are born into this world to leave a lasting
mark. After their death, the world is never the same again. They might be
remembered as legends, but they never lived for fame or power. They lived for a
purpose that transcended their human flesh. It may have been a belief, an idea,
or passion that transformed them, their companions, their society, and humanity
at large. When looking back at the lives of these individuals, we might believe
that they were always invincible. But here I stand before you after a long
life, a life filled with trials and tribulations, and I can tell you that there
is nothing further than the truth.
At the end of this long road we refer to as life, I
have achieved prosperity, happiness, and success but I tell you that none of it
matters. What matters is the journey and the lessons one learns along the way.
I have always striven to be great, but it was never greatness for its own sake.
It was always to achieve my aspirations in life. I have always dreamed big. I
have always envisioned the future in a certain way, and I have painstakingly
worked to bring my dream to fruition. My dream is fueled by my principles and
beliefs.
My whole life, I have worked on transforming myself
first and foremost. After diligently working on myself, I have worked on
transforming the world. I have toiled and been through much soul-searching to
arrive at my current station in life, but it was all worth the hard work. As I
approach the end of my life, I would like to be remembered for what I stood for
and what I have achieved. I would like to be remembered as a believer. One who
believed in God, one who believed in the universal benevolence of humanity, one
who believed that the world could always be a better place.
What I have achieved is meager compared to other
great men, but I take pride in my success because I have worked relentlessly to
achieve my dreams. I was given an opportunity in life and I worked hard to give
others a similar opportunity. There is nothing nobler than given another an
opportunity. I would like to be remembered as an educator who established
schools in the most impoverished parts of the world, a patron of the art who
promoted creativity, an industrialist who worked hard to give others a living,
an athlete who achieved personal excellence, an explorer who saw the ends of
the world, a lover who loved and was beloved,
a writer who moved others’ souls, a patriot who loved his country and
worked hard to serve it, a philanthropist who worked hard to give back to the
poor and needy.
My worldly success is merely a result of
manifestation of my convictions. I am a warrior at heart. Despite life’s trials
and tribulations, I still live with the courage of lion, the compassion of
Buddha, and the chivalry of a knight. I have always lived to refine my
character.
