Meaning of Life????

Just a few days back, a good friend of mine called to tell me that she may be moving to China for a couple of years because her husband is going to get posted there. As she hasn't exactly made up her mind as to whether to follow her husband, she asked me what my thoughts were on the matter. Should she follow him and give up her hot shot career here or move with him and having to start all over again in a new country just because of two years. My immediate reaction was "China?!!! Go Go Go..how can you leave your husband alone in China for two years?". On one hand I reacted that way because we all know China ladies do have quite a reputation with expatriate men but on the other hand it seemed preposterous that a newly married couple should be separated for such a long time. It was only last year when Hubbs and I were separated because of his work for 3 months. Half way through his stint I visited him where he was working and when I saw him, it took me a day before I could adjust to the fact that he's my husband. For me it just felt weird having this person in my life again. And this was just 1 month apart. I fear to think what would happen to us should he be posted away for longer periods of time.

Anyway, back to topic at hand. You see most of my friends are in their mid to late 30s, married, without kids, and are all very successful up the career ladder. But unfortunately this doesn't come without a price. I do know most of them work extremely long hours to the extend that both husband and wife, though living together and sharing the same bed, hardly spend much time together. It's either one is working late till wee hours of the night or the other is traveling for work. What does it all mean at the end? Yes, they probably be able to retire in their 40s, go on the best and most expensive holidays, live in super plush houses and be treated at the best hospitals in their old age. But we all die at the end right?

So isn't it better to be mediocre? If my friends are reading this, they would probably say "look who's talking". But I think over the years whether for better or worse my approach to life and money has changed. I don't deny wanting loads of money, I don't deny wanting to have the best of everything life has to offer. But somehow it doesn't seem to be the "be all and end all" of my life anymore. Someone else will always have more than me.

So how should I live my life for it to be meaningful? What do I want out of life? For me I would like to think it would be as follows (in no particular order except for number 1) :

1) To be someone who glorifies God in all I do (very challenging for me)
2) To talk to God daily.
3) Work hard and earn all the money I can. (very challenging as well..I'm quite lazy)
4) Be willing to give it all away to God anytime.(Love to be able to do this)
5) To find people to care for. (I love doing this)
6) Not to hold grudges. (hmm...let's ask hubbs)
7) To try to forgive always ( trying...is trying)
8) To die surrounded with people who love me (no kids...how?)
9) To remembered for more ways I've touched others than ways I've hurt others. (not succeeding so far)
10) To be hugged and give hugs daily.
11) To be able to say "sorry" even when I know I'm right.(I am.. most of the time:)..hee hee)


Now that I've got it all listed out, hopefully I'll be able to put it into practice someday.