" ...serving the country for 10 years as a rocket scientist, and 20 more years as a community primary care physician...my work touched via the GPS satellites I helped sending to orbit, changes I made in the lives of my patients and their families or influences I had in the careers of my medical students and residents...." Obviously, Mr. Quan, you can thank your lucky stars that you came from good stock and were given the opportunities and means including abilities to do what you did, not to mention that you got paid well enough to be able to invest and to retire early and very comfortably. All is luck, no more, no less. The believers, including Christians, will say you are very blessed meaning you are special. Back to Mr. Eric's question of saving and giving. 1. Do know harm (do no harm is impossible and futile), and one will know when saving/giving is helpful or harmful. 2.The goal of giving and saving is to alleviate and reduce suffering for oneself and/or others while alive and upon one's exit. 3. Charity begins at home. Giving to make a difference (preferably immediately) and to reduce the suffering of others while being mindful of #1. 4. life insurance policies - easiest and surest way to save and give to others provided one is qualified to purchase these polices. Partial disclosure. Helping (financially) relatives still left behind when I left Viet-Nam 50 years ago (at 13 on a damaged boat with a family of 11 plus an uncle and 2 cousins), and the last 10 years by paying for a first cousin's daughter's education and living expenses (in VN) who will be the first in her family to get a college degree (actually 2 degrees - at 35: BS - Physical Therapy and BA - English) this summer after 7 years of working and studying and continue on to get her Master and eventual Doctorate of Physical Therapy (with our continual financial support) as well as helping her nieces and nephews' tuition expenses. Last year's financial giving to VN alone amounted to 35% of our gross income without the benefits of tax deduction. On the other hand, we were lucky to be given the knowledge and ability to not reproduce and to live frugally in order to help others. In the end, we are all custodians of what we have been entrusted only to be distributed accordingly. To whom much is given, much is expected. Grateful to be given much. Thank you, HD.
As "Luck Would Have It," Job didn't suffer enough, and in fact, "hit the income jackpot" in his 60's (?) like Richard; otherwise, there wouldn't be the book of Job, not to mention a sadistic/masochistic relationship between him and his Dog (sorry, dyslexic atheist). 🤣🤣
Thank you, Sir Jonathan. I am new to your site. Besides your four thoughts, may I add that gratefulness must be at the top of anyone's list of remembrance or as I read somewhere long time ago, "gratefulness is the beginning of wisdom" or gratefulness is the panacea of all troubles/worries.
Comments
" ...serving the country for 10 years as a rocket scientist, and 20 more years as a community primary care physician...my work touched via the GPS satellites I helped sending to orbit, changes I made in the lives of my patients and their families or influences I had in the careers of my medical students and residents...." Obviously, Mr. Quan, you can thank your lucky stars that you came from good stock and were given the opportunities and means including abilities to do what you did, not to mention that you got paid well enough to be able to invest and to retire early and very comfortably. All is luck, no more, no less. The believers, including Christians, will say you are very blessed meaning you are special. Back to Mr. Eric's question of saving and giving. 1. Do know harm (do no harm is impossible and futile), and one will know when saving/giving is helpful or harmful. 2.The goal of giving and saving is to alleviate and reduce suffering for oneself and/or others while alive and upon one's exit. 3. Charity begins at home. Giving to make a difference (preferably immediately) and to reduce the suffering of others while being mindful of #1. 4. life insurance policies - easiest and surest way to save and give to others provided one is qualified to purchase these polices. Partial disclosure. Helping (financially) relatives still left behind when I left Viet-Nam 50 years ago (at 13 on a damaged boat with a family of 11 plus an uncle and 2 cousins), and the last 10 years by paying for a first cousin's daughter's education and living expenses (in VN) who will be the first in her family to get a college degree (actually 2 degrees - at 35: BS - Physical Therapy and BA - English) this summer after 7 years of working and studying and continue on to get her Master and eventual Doctorate of Physical Therapy (with our continual financial support) as well as helping her nieces and nephews' tuition expenses. Last year's financial giving to VN alone amounted to 35% of our gross income without the benefits of tax deduction. On the other hand, we were lucky to be given the knowledge and ability to not reproduce and to live frugally in order to help others. In the end, we are all custodians of what we have been entrusted only to be distributed accordingly. To whom much is given, much is expected. Grateful to be given much. Thank you, HD.
Post: Saving and Giving
Link to comment from June 28, 2025
As "Luck Would Have It," Job didn't suffer enough, and in fact, "hit the income jackpot" in his 60's (?) like Richard; otherwise, there wouldn't be the book of Job, not to mention a sadistic/masochistic relationship between him and his Dog (sorry, dyslexic atheist). 🤣🤣
Post: Luck Would Have It
Link to comment from March 30, 2025
Follow Benjamin. Lots of Benjamins.🤣🤣🤣
Post: Help Wanted
Link to comment from March 29, 2025
Do know harm is the first reason not to reproduce. To bring a child into this existence is to condemn him/her to suffer and die at all ages.
Post: Kristine Wonders: Does Not Having Children Change How You Plan For Retirement?
Link to comment from March 29, 2025
Giving before getting.
Post: Help Wanted
Link to comment from March 29, 2025
The best breed is a mix of Lahsa-Apso, pit bull, and Shih-Tzu aka Lahsa bull Shih. 🤣🤣🤣
Post: Help Wanted
Link to comment from March 29, 2025
Thank you, Sir Jonathan. I am new to your site. Besides your four thoughts, may I add that gratefulness must be at the top of anyone's list of remembrance or as I read somewhere long time ago, "gratefulness is the beginning of wisdom" or gratefulness is the panacea of all troubles/worries.
Post: Four Thoughts
Link to comment from March 1, 2025