A Wise Man Once Told Me
I have told this story to several people. I tell the story because there is something profound in it that can open people’s eyes about living life to the fullest. At the same time, while the lesson is very simple one can easily miss the mark. It’s a story about being aware and how with such awareness, we do not miss living life to its full potential. And when we fully live life, dreams become reality. (Read more)
Jeremy Jo
4/9/20243 min read
I learned of the “Three Things” at the most opportune time of my life when all of them happened to be present in my life. I am grateful that all three remain to be present to this day.
It happened on the day of my meeting with a client who was in his mid-80s to review his financial portfolio with me. This was around Spring of 2009. As we ended our appointment, I walked my client out of my office and into the lobby, and it was right there and then that he told me about the “Three Things.”
He said, “Jeremy, pay attention when these ‘Three Things’ are present in your life. Make sure you do whatever it is that you want to do in life when all three are present. Don’t wait.”
Intrigued, I asked, “What are these ‘Three Things?’”
He said, “Jeremy, when you have the Time, the Health, and the Money all present in your life, do everything your heart desires.”
Even more intrigued, I asked, “Can you please elaborate?”
“Think back to when you were young, which of the three did you have?” he asked.
I said, “I had the time and health, but not much money.”
“Alright,” he said.
He then went on to ask, “Which of the three do you think I have at my age?”
“I have an idea of how much money you have so you have the money, and plenty of it. And since you have been long retired, you have plenty of time as well. However, I don’t want to be disrespectful or anything, I don’t think you are in such good health,” I cautiously replied.
I could almost hear a hint of sadness in his voice when he said, “You are absolutely correct.”
He proceeded to say, “You know, in my working years, I saved up all of my money because my wife and I had dreams of traveling the world upon my retirement. But before I could retire, I became sick that my doctor said I wouldn’t be able to do any traveling at all, as it was too dangerous for my health. I saved so much money but lost all of our dreams. I don’t mind leaving my money to my grandchildren now. However, it would have been nice for me and my wife to enjoy some of it to live our dream of traveling the world.”
Before he walked out of the lobby door he said, “Promise me this. You will do everything you can when you have all three present in your life, and not worry so much about your retirement years. Will you at least promise yourself that?”
Le Mont St. Michel, France was once a dream
I said, without hesitation, “I promise.”
He left my office, and I went home immediately. I got on a travel website, and later that day, my daughter and I were on an airplane to spend a very long weekend in West Palm Beach, Florida. So it began.
This is what this travel photo blog is all about — it’s about living my dreams of seeing places; having pints of the local beer inside legendary breweries and pubs perhaps while having conversations with locals to learn about their lives; enjoying some shopping and while I’m at it, trying local cuisine; and doing whatever else comes to mind. And in the process, capture some images of the landscape, life, food, drinks, even animals, and all things that pique my interest with the camera around my neck.
There is so much to see and do in this world with very little time. I travel while I am strong and Healthy, because Money returns, Time doesn’t
Once a dream to have a pint at the
Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, Ireland
Another realised dream of having Pad Thai in Thailand