Throughout my life's journey, achieving significant goals has brought me immense joy. The emotions I felt upon completing my military service and being discharged as an Army Captain are still vivid in my memory. During my three-year stint as a German language instructor at the Korea Military Academy, I not only taught the language but also strived to impart life wisdom to the young officers.
I often urged my students, "In your future roles as platoon, company, or battalion commanders, you'll inevitably encounter Seventh-day Adventist soldiers. When you do, remember me and ensure they can practice their faith without hindrance." It warmed my heart whenever I heard that my former students were indeed supporting Adventist soldiers. Though my influence may have been small, I was grateful for the opportunity to sow seeds of faith even within the unique environment of the military.
The elation I felt upon receiving my doctoral degree is unforgettable. It was the culmination of my passion and perseverance in academia. And when I completed my five-year term as a university president, the sense of liberation from that responsibility was indescribable. The role of president was akin to being on constant guard duty, staying vigilant so others could rest easy.
Looking back, there was joy in achieving goals at every crucial juncture of my life: completing military service, earning my degree, serving as president, and finally retiring. Each moment marked a new beginning.
However, I've come to realize that the experiences and lessons gained along the way are just as valuable as the joy of achievement. Much like how I was able to indirectly spread Adventist values while teaching at the military academy, I learned that one can exert meaningful influence from any position.
Life is a continuous cycle of setting and achieving goals. Sometimes we change direction, sometimes we face new challenges. But what's crucial is not losing sight of one's beliefs. Through my lifetime, I've learned that the true aim of life is to strive to positively impact everyone we encounter on this journey.
I often urged my students, "In your future roles as platoon, company, or battalion commanders, you'll inevitably encounter Seventh-day Adventist soldiers. When you do, remember me and ensure they can practice their faith without hindrance." It warmed my heart whenever I heard that my former students were indeed supporting Adventist soldiers. Though my influence may have been small, I was grateful for the opportunity to sow seeds of faith even within the unique environment of the military.
The elation I felt upon receiving my doctoral degree is unforgettable. It was the culmination of my passion and perseverance in academia. And when I completed my five-year term as a university president, the sense of liberation from that responsibility was indescribable. The role of president was akin to being on constant guard duty, staying vigilant so others could rest easy.
Looking back, there was joy in achieving goals at every crucial juncture of my life: completing military service, earning my degree, serving as president, and finally retiring. Each moment marked a new beginning.
However, I've come to realize that the experiences and lessons gained along the way are just as valuable as the joy of achievement. Much like how I was able to indirectly spread Adventist values while teaching at the military academy, I learned that one can exert meaningful influence from any position.
Life is a continuous cycle of setting and achieving goals. Sometimes we change direction, sometimes we face new challenges. But what's crucial is not losing sight of one's beliefs. Through my lifetime, I've learned that the true aim of life is to strive to positively impact everyone we encounter on this journey.
