Eric Hui
This is MY Life.
“Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show.”
-Charles
Dickens, in David Copperfield
I have always been a strong believer in the human ability to rationalize. I do not believe in luck nor do I believe in predestination or destiny. Simply, I believe humans have rational minds and make rational choices, and it is the results of our choices that directly or indirectly affect the outcome of events. In other words, I believe man controls his own destiny. My outlook on life is that man’s existence is characterized by his interaction with society. I believe humans are genuinely good and moral people with the ability to make rational decisions, but it is the negative pressures of society that impair these rational decision-making functions. These social pressures corrupt individuals and explain the presence the suffering and evil that exists in the world today.
This being said, I believe my purpose here on earth is to spread compassion to all. My passion for compassion is a result of my experiences in life thus far. From hearing my mothers childhood stories about the suffering and poverty she faced in Hong Kong to working with the less fortunate when I built a Habitat for Humanity house, I hope to dedicate my life to ridding the world of suffering because of the rich-poor gap. Every individual makes their own rational choices that will ultimately affect the course of humanity. Together our individual choices have the power to change the lives of each other. If we all channel our energy and effort to promote human rights equality and subsistence, we can create a world without unnecessary suffering and death. My decision to help others is simple. I hope to continue in Bill Gates’ footsteps in initiating compassion from the business world. Bill Gates is my role model because he has effectively combined his interest in business and his desire to impact the world.
I have always
enjoyed all things business, from planning events to communicating with
corporate executives. Throughout high school, I knew I wanted to be a
businessman, but I had not yet developed my life goals or discovered my passion
in life. When I graduated from high school, going to college was the only
option. Since I was expected to go to college, I easily choose to attend The
University of Texas at
Doing Project 2 caused me to discover my compassion. Showing compassion to others is extremely rewarding because of the human connection that stimulates a concept of unity. Showing genuine interest someone else’s wellbeing is truly gratifying. [DASS QUOTE] I know that my life will be fulfilling if I somehow apply my interest in business to my passion for humanity. Thus, Project 3 allowed me to explore my career options and lead me to claim Bill Gates as my role model. As the richest man in the world, Bill Gates had dedicated himself and his fortune to providing healthcare in underdeveloped countries and to increasing literacy and equality globally. Bill Gates is a role model because he has significantly changed people’s lives. He has channeled his power and money to encourage others in the business industry to dedicate their lives to eradicate poverty. Like him, I want to leave a legacy and spur others to join me in the revolution to combat poverty.
In life, as rational beings who make informed decisions, we can either make choices that only benefit ourselves, or we can choose the path less taken and decide to forgo our own benefits for the advancement of society. Often times, individuals choose to easier route and peruse life goals that only help themselves. Some people hope to become lawyers, doctors, CEOs, or celebrities with only one thing in mind—money. However, I among others, differ from the masses, because I want to dedicate my life to help others. Some few people have found a medium between having successful careers and showing compassion to others. Many wealthy individuals and celebrities are philanthropic and volunteer and donate money to charities; however, I hope to live a life of compassion every day, and it is my life goal to leave a lasting impact by ridding the world of unnecessary poverty. Though it is probably impossible to eliminate poverty in my lifetime alone, I hope to lead others in my cause to fight inequality. [Quote about Leader, from Cambell] Leadership is a crucial part of creating a legacy. However, I do not wish to create a legacy for the sake of feeling important. Even if my name is not carried on, it is my desire that my message and vision lives on.
My purpose here at
The University of Texas is to continue to discover my interest and what my
passion for compassion really means. I cannot shed my desire to work in
business nor can I ignore my calling in life. As both a Business Honors and
Plan II Honors student, I have many choices and opportunities in front of me. I
understand that it is my life to life however I want to, and the life decisions
are mine and only mine to decide. If I decide to become an investment banker in
My view for the future is optimistic. I know that whatever I decide, I want to be happy with myself and my life. I know that some day, some how, I will begin to change the world, one person at a time. In a society that lives off instant gratification, I know the fight against social and economic injustice will be slow and hard going, but I believe that once enough people join the campaign against poverty, a snowball effect is imminent. Once I get my proverbial foot in the door, I believe I will be able to start my quest to spread compassion to everyone in the world. The future looks promising, as more individuals are realizing the importance of creating a world of equality without avoidable suffering. It is my vision to be a catalysis for a world revolution against economic inequality. I hope that even after I die, my vision for a more perfect and peaceful world will live on.
As I mature and better understand my purpose, I feel I will be able to follow my passion and help others discover their passion. Everyone has so much potential in their lives. I feel through our rational choices, we can elect to be compassionate individuals and create a society overflowing with life. Regards of how I end up using my degrees after I graduate, I understand that the degrees are only pieces of paper symbolizing my intellectual astuteness. The rest of my life is up to me. It is my life to live.
Word Count: 1,295
DB Word Count: 4,383