What gives you fulfillment?

Follow up on my last blog entry, I assisted the client in resolving the CPFIS and HDB matter. A partial liquidation of the ILP policy was done to sustain his mortgage for the next 12 months, while his CPF is building up.

As expected, he looked unhappy. I asked :"Have you forgiven your brother in law?" He looked at me as though i have asked a stupid question. "How can I forgive, it is money you know...."

I pull out a ten dollar note from my wallet, a family photograph and i placed them side by side. I asked him: "Brother, man to man talk, what gives you fulfillment? The dollar note or the family photograph?" He stared for a moment, and pointed towards the family photograph.

I said:"I know how you feel, your brother in law has failed you and your wife professionally. But it is only money, and not a huge amount. You were also at fault when you signed on the dotted line you did not seek complete clarifications. In life, relationship gives us fulfillment, not money. However, money is always the object that separate relationship. Forgive, and let go. Enjoy your family."

After that, we had a great fellowship over coffee talking about other man's favourite topics except money.