【Introduction】
Mastering a skill is better than possessing wealth.
【Description】
Why does a young man who possesses huge financial assets lack the courage to socialize and find love? Why would someone lack confidence despite being rich? If you had the choice, would you opt for possessing wealth or mastering a skill?
In this teaching, Grandmaster JinBodhi advises young participants that mastering a skill is better than possessing riches. What is the wisdom behind this advice? Find out in this teaching.
【You will learn】
- The benefits of mastering a skill
- An important factor affecting self-confidence
- How to use your skills effectively
【Featured aphorisms】
- Mastering a skill is better than possessing wealth.
- Being capable is better than being rich.
- Skills do not burden us; they help us benefit others.
- Overcoming difficulties in life is a kind of innovation.
- Innovation creates positivity and confidence
【Content】
Mastering a skill is better than owning a hundred acres of fertile land. It’ll create more confidence in you. The more confident you are, the more you innovate. So remember: Skills do not burden us; help others at all times.
Mastering a Skill for Life
The first motto in life is: Mastering a skill is better than owning a hundred acres of fertile land. Many young people might question its meaning. Say, your ancestors left you with lots of land and expensive houses. These are precious and can get you money, right? But they are not as good as a skill that can make you a living or a skill that can benefit others. This kind of ability surpasses wealth because skills are constantly innovating and creating wealth.
I have said this before. For me, an innovative life is the most exciting life. Life will always throw hard problems at you. Overcoming them is an innovation in itself. So creation allows you to generate positive energy. It allows you to believe that you are not as stupid as you think. “You see, now I can do this. Before, I couldn’t even imagine it.” This will create more confidence in you. The more confident you are, the more innovative you get.
For those who are not confident, they might have the ability but not the chance to apply it. I know of a Western family in the United States. Their ancestors are all Jewish. 60 to 70 years ago, the grandpa bought a lot of land when the land was cheap after the war. It was all spoiled land that no one wanted. However, 50 years ago, his grandpa started selling these lands. This wealth continued. In that city, one-third of the houses are on the land he sold. Then this “founding father” passed away. Now, the grandchildren are in charge.
I met his grandson once. His beard was not trimmed and he couldn’t look at others. He would take only a quick glance at me. But he is not a thief, and he is super-rich, right? The assets under his name are worth more than a billion US dollars. But he is not confident. Why? Because he hasn’t created anything. His friends will not respect him. “You are eating off of what your grandpa left for you.” They will be like that.
He was actually really nice. When you actually talked to him, you sensed that he is very honest. But he was very good at procrastinating and scared of socializing. He was scared to find a girlfriend. He was afraid of everything because he was not confident. So confidence has nothing to do with money. You will be confident when you create something. You will feel accomplished. Therefore, mastering a skill is better than owning a hundred acres of fertile land.
It doesn’t matter what skill it is. By mastering a skill, you can at least make a living or more broadly, you can support a family. To make it even bigger, you can teach others to do it. My father was a bricklayer who built houses. In the past, when Chinese people wanted to build a house, it was mostly built with bricks. My father was a bricklayer. Just with this skill, he supported our entire family because he had the skill to help others build houses. It is actually very easy.
Many bosses from construction companies started out as bricklayers and became designers. There are many of them like this. When wisdom is added to a skill, it becomes a business. This is all possible. Having a skill at hand can support a family. If this skill is multiplied, it can support a country. Bill Gates created the software system that has benefited the whole world.
So remember: Skills do not burden us; help others at all times. This is very important.