Hi Richard,
Some people run a business for money. Some people run a business for delivering good customer services.
Some people donate money to charity for recognition. Some people do it for love.
Some people work hard for securing power at the office. Some people work hard for job achievement and satisfaction.
Some people study hard for an honour. Some people study hard for advancing knowledge and wisdom.
Money, recognition, power and honour are things in the external world. To have them, you must compete with others. If one does not control the desire of them properly, one may go evil and commit wrong-doings. Even though you have them for now, you might lose them tomorrow.
Excellence, a caring heart, achievements and knowledge are things in our internal world. To have them, you must keep up the effort and keep challenging yourself. The more you have them, the more confident you will be. No one could take them away from you. If you like, they will stay with you forever.
During the Chinese New Year, besides the red envelopes (利事), I would like to give you the following words.
毋貪身外物•立志心中求
Don't be greedy for things in the external world.
Set your ultimate goal in life on internal advancements.
With love, Patrick