The present is a gift... Reflecting on the past.

The Present: A Gift

One day in 2003, I was completely absorbed in a book while riding the bus to school.

한 권의 책에 푹 빠져 있었습니다.

The journey took an hour, but the time passed in an instant because the book was so captivating.

"The Present: The Gift That Makes You Happy and Successful at Work and in Life" by Spencer Johnson - Source: https://www.yes24.com/Product/Goods/403497 - "The Gift" (Korean title) by Spencer Johnson, translated by Hyung Seon-ho - Source: https://www.yes24.com/Product/Goods/419426 -

The title of the book is "The Present" (original English title). In Korean, it was translated as "The Gift".

This book gained tremendous popularity at the time, remaining on the self-help bestseller list for 119 weeks. It truly inspired many people.

The content of the book is simple but conveys an important message.

"This moment right now is the most precious gift given to us."

"All we have is today, we cannot bring tomorrow forward to today, nor can we resurrect yesterday that has passed. Focus on this very moment. This present moment (The Present) is the most precious gift (The Present) the world gives you." - The Gift (by Spencer Johnson, translated by Hyung Seon-ho) -

As we live our lives, we often find ourselves dwelling on yesterday's regrets or tomorrow's anxieties. But "The Gift" tells us to focus on the moment of "today, now."

We can hear similar messages in other books as well.

"Winners calculate as they run, losers calculate before they even start." - Jewish Scripture - - Quoted in "Sayno's Teachings: Live More Intensely Than Blood" by Sayno -

While thorough preparation is important, this saying reminds us that without action, we ultimately achieve nothing.

"For 200 days, without missing a single day, I've been reading, writing, walking, and running." https://rwwrhappy.tistory.com/entry/200%EC%9D%BC-%EB%8F%99%EC%95%88-%ED%95%98%EB%A3%A8%EB%8F%84-%EB%B9%A0%EC%A7%90%EC%97%86%EC%9D%B4-%EC%9D%BD%EA%B3%A0-%EC%93%B0%EA%B3%A0-%EA%B1%B7%EA%B3%A0-%EB%9B%B0%EA%B3%A0-%EC%9E%88%EC%8A%B5%EB%8B%88%EB%8B%A4

For me, being able to run at dawn for over 200 days without a break was possible because of my motto: "Just get up without thinking."

**"Companies make two types of decisions: One-way door decisions: Major decisions that lead to significant results and cannot be reversed. Two-way door decisions: Decisions that can be changed or reversed.

However, most decisions are two-way door decisions. Failure is not fatal in these cases. Since they can be reversed at any time, let's act immediately."** - Invent & Wander: From Childhood Through Amazon to Blue Origin (by Jeff Bezos, translated by Lee Young-rae) -

Successful people and companies don't fear failure and move forward by repeating today's choices.

As I write this, I realize that the gifts I've received over 40 years number 14,600 (40×365). But I don't think I've properly opened many of these gifts.

I might receive about ten thousand more gifts during the rest of my life.

I now intend to open each one with care.

Reading, writing, walking, and running To cherish each day, I practice the following:

1. Reading - To gain new knowledge and perspectives
2. Writing - To organize and record my thoughts
3. Walking and Running - To enjoy each day with a healthy body

These small habits gradually make me a better person.

This present moment is the greatest gift the world has given us. I hope you will open your gift package for today. And fully enjoy the opportunities and happiness contained within.

I want to share this small but sincere journey of growth with you all as we read, write, walk, and run together.

Happy self-development today. Read, write, walk, run.