Everybody values different things. Love. Money. Self-integrity. Each person has their own unique perception of the world. The treasures that have a strong grip with a person’s heart can tell you what defines their character, and their life experiences.

My mom values toys. Growing up I would have baskets and rooms full of toys. But why would my mom, an adult, love children’s toys? My mother, who grew up in a less fortunate country and household, would know nothing but hardship and continued perseverance to be able to survive. As my mind slowly drifts off to sleep, she would sit down and tell me about a different period of her life.

At the beckoning of a rooster, my mother of seven years old, would wake up to prepare food for the day to support a warm household of 8. Hose down the aged clothing and hang them up to dry in the balmy sun. And take care of the three children of the householder. Day and night, she walked the rural streets of Vietnam, going around to make quota by selling homely goods. When she comes home she gets ready for the next day and puts the kids to sleep. Most nights ended at midnight and days started at 4 in the morning.

As years flew by, she wasn’t able to have the time to let the child inside of her roam freely. It was stolen from her.

So, Growing up I would have baskets and rooms full of toys. Because her love for toys and the joy she had from them, has been passed onto me to experience what she never had.

You Are Your Greatest Project

The final week of school. Lights in the auditorium are dark. Spotlight, beaming into the hues of my iris. The grand valedictorian speech is being delivered, by me. I feel a heavy pressure knowing that I carry the responsibility of instilling hope and courage to a future generation. All eyes are on me, with no room for error. However, in the final moment, I walk onto stage with a sense of surrealness, as if I am completely in control of myself. A complete calm.


Hello. My name is Vincent. I would like to share a powerful message. There are so many aspects in your control that you can’t control, however, it’s so extremely important that you continue to maintain the aspects that you can control. Shift your focus onto that. The moment you forget who you are striving to be, you forget who you are now. Life will take you into deep waters and drown you with all its might. In our darkest moments, you have to hang onto the hope you give yourself. Keep your eyes on the finish line. All that matters is that you take life’s challenges and your best to absolutely crush them. If you are asked to give 100%, and you could only give 30%, and you really tried, you gave your 100%.

It goes without saying that, if you live your life in tomorrow, the life you want to be living will always be a day away. I think back to when a close teacher of mine quoted, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” by Ferris Bueller. I take this as, all your bone breaking efforts, your sleepless nights, your triumphed endeavors can be in vain. Because what’s victory without someone to share it with. What’s your wealth with no health to spend it with?  “Everybody that could exist, will never exist” said by Neil DeGrasse Tyson. You get 80 years, if you’re lucky. If you’re lucky. Anytime you can, soak in the sunlight, drink in the sunset and just admire life. Thank you.

The crowd applauded with the echoes of the auditorium reaching my ears. A rush of accomplishment surged throughout my body. Because in that moment, all of my hard work I was just speaking so passionately about, had finally paid off for me. This is still just the beginning of my journey. I love it. Love the journey, not the destination. Love the pursuit of what you want. Love the struggle, and the feeling of overcoming it. Love the unburning desire you have. Love yourself.