About Me — Chung Yuen Keong
I Am A Big Thinker
Addressing My Name in the Chinese Way
I am Chung Yuen Keong. My family name is Chung, but I prefer people to address me as ‘Yuen Keong’. That is the proper way to address a Chinese man. I am seventy-five years old, and according to Chinese custom, younger people usually call me ‘Uncle’ as a sign of respect for my seniority, even if we are not relatives. Since I am a believer and have a Christian name, my close friends call me Fred.
Thinking Big
I am an introvert, and I am more comfortable interacting with small groups of people. As I grow older, I am more expressive and outgoing.
When I was young, I was a big thinker. My teacher instilled in me the habit of thinking big. Additionally, my lecturer encouraged me to set ambitious goals to broaden my horizons. I had complete faith in myself, and nothing could hold me back from thinking about doing big things.
Thinking Big in My Career
After graduating, I had high hopes of becoming a successful businessman. As a big thinker, I wanted to lead and manage a team in a department of a big company. I faced difficulties entering the business world due to a lack of experience and skills as a fresh graduate. Hence, my attempt to break into the field was unsuccessful.
Finding no suitable jobs, I ended up as a teacher at a secondary school teaching English. There and then, I had the opportunity to lead and manage thirty students in a class. I felt as if I had accomplished my goal, even though it was not a significant one. I promised myself to be the top educator to fulfill my big thinking.
Also, I needed a lot of money to be a big thinker, but I found that the salary for teaching became my Achilles heel. I did not make enough to live a comfortable life. That was why I started looking for other jobs that would pay more. Understanding that life insurance sales offered the highest commissions in the insurance business, I decided to start selling life policies.
My Career as a Life Insurance Agent
Selling life insurance was a difficult way to make a living. The insurance company offered neither basic pay nor other benefits. I had a hard time sustaining this lucrative career. Nevertheless, I hung on to it because I had big thoughts. I worked long hours during the first few years to attain my big dream. Although I had earned fat commissions by thinking big, I was not a member of the Million Dollar Roundtable (MDRT). My big dream broke. I was happy that I learned a valuable lesson to accept the fact of not thinking ‘too big’.
My Marriage
Being a big thinker, I always dreamed of finding a perfect woman who was charming and gracious to spare. I also preferred a woman with long legs and a nice curve to their figure. Unfortunately, things did not go according to my plan. The kind of woman that I liked had no interest in me, an ordinary man.
I did marry an ordinary woman who had a decent look because I did not want to get married at an older age. I soon understood that a marriage could not survive without love.
Failing to have married the right woman shatters my confidence in marriage and leaves me with a reluctance towards women.
Never Give up Hope
I have Been thinking big in my career and marriage, and I have never given up hope. At this age, in my twilight years, I prefer to be a small thinker who has smaller dreams. I will live better and happier without much stress. Even if I cannot accomplish any big dreams, I still have achieved my goals — smaller goals. As Norman Vincent Peale suggests, ‘Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.’
My Last Big Thinking
However, before I end my story I still have one final big thought: Lord, let me think big again for the last time to find someone who truly loves and cares for me. I pray that God will grant me this wish before my time ends.
I appreciate your effort to take the time to read my story and leave your valuable comments and applause.
You can read my other stories at: https://medium.com/me/stories/drafts
