Dear Brothers and Sisters

I talk so often about concentration that I am afraid someone will start to give me the nickname “Mr. Broken Record”. Don’t you that. OK, my friends?

You can concentrate on only one thing at a time. Two things, it starts to be crowded. Three things, it’s too much.

I know that we all want to know everything under the sun, which is about 1 million things. But, forget about 999.999 things for now, and focus on one. Or two.

You want to learn 5 foreign languages. Right now, just pick one – like English – to focus on. Once you have mastered English, add another one if you want. But not now.

You also want to know dancing. Dancing can be considered as recreation. Then, you can focus on dancing now, as the second priority, after English.

That’s enough. Don’t add a third subject. Wait till you are done with dancing, then add another easy subject.

Focus, focus, focus on one. Or two.

Too many things, and you will be turned into a scattered-brain, useless.

Don’t be so greedy. Just one at a time.

Remember, we have from now till we are 70 (about 40 more years?) to learn many things. No need to rush.

When I was in university and not knowing much, I learned French, English, written Chinese, German, Spanish, in addition to Latin. Around 24 or 25, I could see that I was not good at any foreign language, so I dropped everything and focused on English. That was a hard “sacrifice”, but it paid off well.

I also learned, in my young age, Judo, Shaolin, Tea Kwon Do and Hapkido, and realized that I was not good at anything. So, later I focused on Jiu Jitsu (older brother of Judo) and many years later added Taichi Chuan (as a fighting martial art). And it worked out much better.

You know, every time you have to drop many things to focus on only one thing, that is a hard decision, like you decide to say good bye to 9 girl friends to marry faithfully to only one. Hard decision, man. But it’s good for you. OK?

Don’t embrace too many. Focus on one. That is a great discipline to practice.

Do that. And say thank-you to me 10 years from now.

Wish you all focus well.

With compassion,

Hoành

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Trần Đình Hoành
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