01/09/2026
This morning at the the resort, I bumped into a friend who was originally from Iran, now an American—a "former" Silicon Valley billionaire (or so I imagined 😆). His love for tea eggs sparked an interesting conversation.
We started by discussing the ingredients for tea eggs, and once the conversation flowed, we chatted about everything.
He mentioned he wasn't working, but driven by a strong sense of curiosity, he was currently traveling extensively, eager to experience the world's vastness.
The reason for his conversation was that during the global financial crisis, he lost half his wealth instantly, followed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which again wiped out half of the remaining half. He realized that significant losses can occur without any wrongdoing; a person can lose all their wealth overnight without any apparent reason.
So, he began to wonder: should he continue down the same path, following the same pattern? Perhaps another ten years of hard work could restore his wealth to its previous level, but was that what he wanted? Seeing the extravagant lifestyle of his wealthy neighbors, so extravagantly spending money—their daily expenses could equal a lifetime's worth for an average person—he felt that such a life, such a world, was too narrow. He wanted to live a broader life.
He said that life's hardships and low points sometimes force you to see other possibilities. He saw them, and thus made choices different from before. (Isn't that right? The key is, you have to be able to see them! Seeing them and making different choices can rewrite your predetermined life script!)
After his divorce, feeling free again (congratulations!), he chose to use his remaining quarter of his assets to explore the world, experience unknown challenges and joys, see the wider world, and experience everything beyond his imagination.
For him, Taiwan was relatively unknown as a tourist destination, and he didn't have high expectations. However, he was pleasantly surprised after arriving. Aside from Taipei being rather underwhelming (just a bustling city; note: this is purely a paraphrase, not my personal opinion), his journey from Taipei, through the east coast, Tainan, Fo Guang Shan, and now to Bao Lai, has been full of delightful surprises. Not only are the environments beautiful, the food delicious, the culture vibrant, and the people charming, but it's also affordable and safe.
Last night, in the light rain, he enjoyed the private hot spring in his room while naked. He said it was incredibly enjoyable and blessed. He's been in Taiwan for a month and plans to stay for two months before heading to Bhutan. He feels the time isn't enough to fully explore Taiwan's beauty and wishes he could stay longer.
After our chat, he even grabbed me to discuss his next destination. He wants to go to Alishan and asked if it's worth it. Just kidding, Alishan! One of my absolute favorites! It's a must! I advised him to make sure he had a room booked within the park before setting off, and given the rain and slippery roads, it would be best to leave immediately and arrive around noon. So he immediately booked a room and prepared to head to his next destination.
He knew the weather was bad, the road conditions might be challenging, and it might bring some tension and pressure, but he was prepared and would just go and see what happened. What was exciting was the surprise and reward that might come after the challenge.
His carefree exploration of life certainly wouldn't be without financial support, but more importantly, it was because he redefined "how one should truly live," and thus made his choices.
Everyone's life is unique; there's no absolute right or wrong. What suits him may not suit others. I simply rejoice that he's "living the life he wants," and at the same time, I'm infinitely grateful that I've already lived the life I want to live.
At this moment, I feel deeply moved.
I want to pay tribute and express my gratitude to myself and others for our boundless abundance. I am grateful to myself, my family, everything, all encounters, experiences, and choices. Looking back on my life, I see that everything has been a catalyst for my fulfillment, leading me to this abundant end and back to my inherent self.
May everyone who reads this share in the joy of unparalleled wealth and abundance, and create a unique and healthy life of health, wealth, and joy. 🪄🪄🪄♾️✅
P.S. Welcome to Baolai to enjoy the hot springs, cold springs, and phytoncides forest bath, and experience the joy of being nourished by Mother Earth! 💖
This video is a glimpse into my daily life encountering adorable tree leaves waving at me. A walk in the forest always brings different surprises. It's so beautiful! 💚
