X

Dear Joshua,

I hope that you don't turn into one of them. Recently you've been telling me how much you want to be a doctor when you grow up, to have that huge house and that million dollar room. I warned you that being a doctor requires some sort of morals in you to want to genuinely help people instead of just caring about the money.

Tonight, we were having the same conversation about studies and the future with dad. I guess you're the one he likes huh, because at 15- you've said everything that he has always wanted to hear. Your passion and drive, its something that I still lack and you know it too. It was funny at first when you used to poke fun at the fact that maybe you might be more successful than me in the future, and it used to be funnier when dad was egging you on. But tonight you said, "one day I will be earning $60 when I see one patient and you'll be earning that $8.50/hr staring at screens in a cubicle." I told you not to be too quick to judge, because the future's uncertain for me and let's leave it as that. Dad was encouraging you, saying that you were right.

After a few seconds of silence, I told the both of you, "contentment is key, people. If you earn that $60 and you feel contented, and if I earn that $8.50/hr and feel contented - then we're equal. There's nothing much to compete about."

Dad just said flatly, "Contentment? Contentment is for losers. It will never get you anywhere."

At that moment, I hoped you wouldn't believe what he said. Because if you're never contented, you'll never stop chasing after things, after things, after things. The thought of never stopping, of never being happy, of never being contented of what you have - is that really what you want, Joshua?

I hope he doesn't turn you into a copy of what he is because it's dangerous.