Author: Hanlyn Yong
Company: O&Y Business Trading
Profession: Durian Wholesale + Health and Beauty
Looking Back on My 38-Year Journey
As I look back on the first 38 years of my life, I realize it is finally time to reflect on how I became the person I am today.
When people go through difficult seasons, they often experience two conflicting emotions. One is the sorrow of realizing how much beauty and opportunity they have missed. The other is a deep admiration for themselves—for surviving against all odds with nothing but determination.
When I think about it carefully, I realize that the first half of my life was sustained by nothing more than sheer grit.
0–18 | Forged Through Adversity
“The edge of a sword is sharpened by grinding; the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from enduring the winter.”
As a child, I was emotionally fragile. I often felt underestimated, overlooked, and untrusted. Yet those very experiences planted within me an unwavering determination to prove my worth.
Like an untempered blade, I endured hardship, waiting for the day I would be forged into something stronger.
18–30 | Courage to Venture, Strength to Endure
“Better to live one day as a lion than a hundred years as a sheep.”
At eighteen, I made the bold decision to leave my hometown and venture into the unknown.
The more people doubted me, the more determined I became to prove them wrong. My journey through both career and relationships was filled with setbacks, disappointments, and unexpected twists. Yet I refused to give up.
I persevered through every challenge with nothing but stubborn resilience. Although the journey was painful, it was also incredibly fulfilling. I lived boldly, wholeheartedly, and without regret.
30–40 | Tempered by Experience, Empowered by Learning
“Many skills never weigh a person down; steel is forged through countless strikes.”
The past decade has been defined by my love of learning. Ironically, I was also someone who often became passionate about something, only to move on to the next challenge shortly after.
I explored different industries, embraced diverse opportunities, and constantly reinvented myself.
Looking back, what once appeared to be scattered experiences became the very foundation of who I am today.
I used to carry many “blades” that lacked sharpness. Today, every one of those blades has been honed through experience and practice.
People often ask me, “How do you seem capable of doing almost everything?”
My answer is simple: what many call my “three-minute enthusiasm” was never a weakness—it became my greatest strength. Every new interest taught me a valuable skill, and together they shaped a more versatile, capable, and resilient version of myself.
Beyond that, I’m also an unapologetic foodie.
If you asked me what kind of life I want to live, my answer would be this:
A life like an unforgettable gourmet masterpiece—rich in flavor, full of surprises, and leaving a lasting impression on everyone it touches.
Those who know me well would probably describe me as strong-willed, outspoken, and incredibly stubborn—especially at work.
Yet now, standing at another crossroads in life, I find myself looking forward to a different chapter.
40 and Beyond | Embracing Compassion, Becoming a Source of Nourishment
The years ahead are no longer about constantly pushing harder or proving myself.
Instead, I hope to cultivate a heart that is gentler, broader, and more compassionate.
I want to learn to slow down, embrace life’s imperfections, and make peace with the world—and with myself.
“With unwavering strength, I overcame countless hardships.
With diverse skills, I forged every blade I carried.
Having tasted every flavor life could offer,
I now aspire to become a gentle rain that nourishes all living things.”
These words capture not only the spirit of my first half of life—marked by perseverance, courage, and relentless growth—but also my aspiration for the years ahead: to walk forward with humility, kindness, and quiet strength.
Just like my name, 杨函霖 Hanlyn Yong, I hope to become a timely rain that nurtures others.
And in return, may I also continue to be deeply nourished by the gentleness of life itself.