Got the following email from Mama Shieh the other day after I finally graduated from MIT. She has sent some questionable stuff to me in the past, but this was particularly thoughtful. In its unedited and fantastic original form…

Charles,

I was attracted on one of the articles “What Matters Most” in Purpose Deiven Life by Rick Warren. The book we used in my bible study a couple of years ago. I’d like to share the experience, perhaps wisdom.

Chpt 16: What Matters Most.

Highlight of this chapter:
(1) Relationship are what life is all about. Life is all about love… (love to God, friend, neighbor, children, family members….)

(2) The greatest gift you can give someone is your time. “It is not enough just to say relationships are important; we must prove it by investing time in them. Words alone are worthless. “My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action” Relationships take time and effort, and the best way to spell love is “T-I-M-E”.

(3) The Best Time to Love is Now. “Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to others. Do not wait till tomorrow if you can help/show them now”

She goes on to give examples from her personal life which I won’t share but in the spirit of (2), thanks to everyone that spent time with me and made my 2 years in Boston so wonderful.

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays of the year. In honor of this glorious day, more great email advice from Mama Shieh.

Subject: (Important) – when you are attacked by “Egg” during night while driving

If there are eggs throw on your cars while you driving during night, Please do not use the water & wipper to try to wash out the egg from your windshield. Because “egg” mixed with water will become white color and will block your visibility (windshield) up to 92.5%. You will be forced to stop the car in the middle of somewhere. This is the trick from those robbers or gang in other country.

Be careful !! Do not use water & wiper for this suituation.

Love mom

Stay safe out there… and have a great Halloween!

If you can get me to sleep earlier, a true reward from mama shieh awaits you!

Subject: Could you try to sleep ealier 12 midnight instead of 2AM during weekend?

To see whether or not you can get better habbit. In result, to be healthier.

Also, if your roomate could change habbit since that might influce others (you) , I will give all of you reward by treating you a good meal.

Love mom

I received an email the other day from my dad which to my surprise included a link to a YouTube video. I was surprised simply because it wasn’t the typical business article or “How to Save for Retirement” type advice that I am used to. At first, I couldn’t imaging my dad using YouTube because pictured him using it the way I do… watching humorous home made videos or a new music video featuring a scantily dressed singer. It finally dawned on me that there are a ton of videos on YouTube that my dad would be very interested in watching and that YouTube became a household name when Google bought it.

Which brings me to the video my dad sent me. The subject of his email tells it all: “Armless lady – a MUST VIEW”. I don’t think he wrote the email but here were the contents:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GNzBFnUAdo

Turn off the volume if you don’t understand Cantonese; it’s just as impressive without the commentary. For those of you who are “Cantonese-challenged:” this woman was born without arms. Her mother wanted to throw her into the ocean but the father wanted to keep her, as a puppy, if nothing else. She eventually learned to do just about everything with her feet (the most amazing portion is towards the end of the clip) and happily married her husband who was too poor to marry a normal girl. They have 3 children.

Enjoy!

The next time I send out a link to YouTube, I’ll be sure to consider cc-ing my parents…

My dad has been on a role with his emails. Here is another one that he sent with a good message… (translated from Chinese)

A son and his father were walking on the mountains.
Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself and screams: “AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!”
To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in themountain: “AAAhhhhhh!!!”
Curious, he yells: “Who are you?”
He receives the answer: “Who are you?”
Angered at the response, he screams: “Coward!”
He receives the answer: “Coward!”
He looks to his father and asks: “What’s going on?”
The father smiles and says: “My son, pay attention.”
And then he screams to the mountain: “I admire you!”
The voice answers: “I admire you!”
Again the man screams: “You are a champion!”
The voice answers: “You are a champion!”
The boy is surprised, but does not understand.
Then the father explains: “People call this ECHO, but really this is LIFE.
It gives you back everything you say or do.
Our life is simply a reflection of our actions.
If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart.
If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence.
This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life;
Life will give you back everything you have given to it.

YOUR LIFE IS NOT A COINCIDENCE. IT’S A REFLECTION OF YOU!