I Am Dying Soon…

During the 1996 crisis (trust me, it felt as worse as this one, all crisis is the same, if you don’t understand, pay attention to my next talk), I was struggling to pull my business thru the storm.

I failed. It bankrupted.

During that time, I attended a course. It was by a disciple of Napolen Hill. He talked about sticking a picture of a Nike (or was it Adidas, definitely not Bata) sneakers on his wall. He was pennyless and told himself he would get one pair very soon. He let that picture drive him to success. And he did buy one some months later.

I went to Ducati shop, I drooled all over the floor and I took a poster from them and pasted on my office wall. I could not afford any luxury then. Broke or break even. That was me.

I wanted to build my company to greatness. I failed. It bankrupted (ok, I said twice, I know. The more I say, the less painful it is, just bear with me please ).

Now that I am wealthy, I can buy any motorcycles I want (already have seven bikes, maybe more). But my limbs are getting weak, my response is slower, my eyes not as sharp, and my bones, once broken will take a longer time to heal. And not to mention my back, cannot take a long ride on such fast bike.

I asked myself why…. Why did I believe that shit about waiting till 65 to retire and even if I can enjoy these fast, super power motorcycles, a grandfather on grab food bicycle will be overtaking me.

Why can’t I retire young, strong, mentally sharp, eyes 20/20 ?

It’s a little too late for me now. Even if my body is willing, the bike is no longer being manufactured. And even if I can find one off the resale market, its 25 years old and many things are falling apart. Its dangerous to ride a bike that is falling apart.

I do not want to wait anymore. Hence, few years ago, I started to change cars and buy motorcycles since few years ago. I cracked the code, how to own these vehicles for little money down with very little depreciation. And later a student showed me how he did it better than me. Most of my members are trained in this. I don’t think there is any community in Singapore with so many average people driving exotic cars other than Marko & Friends™️.

I am in a rush, to ride, to drive, to own motorcycles and cars, as many as I want, while my body is still able and organs are still functioning. I am getting slower, senses slowing down. Its ok as long as a ride puts a silly daze on my face for days.

People say I am crazy, wasting money. I asked them “do you like to travel to Japan or Europe? When you come back, what did you take back? Eiffel tower? You are merely taking back memories, good or bad”.

I am doing the same, creating and collecting memories of toys that I deserved.

Same same but different. You can argue and be right. You cannot stop me. Read on.

It’s a little too late for me to own some of my dream toys.

I wanna own a Hummer…. No more.

My brother-in-law told me SAAB is a great car to drive (when I was driving a 8 years old Mazda 323 in my 20s). Now that I can afford a SAAB, factory is closed. No more SAAB. Its just a dream. A mirage. A fairy tale.

So this week, I bought a Maserati. I sold my Aston Martin. Two cars a year, my target.

What car is next ? I dunno yet. Whatever appeals to me, maybe i8?

I don’t care what you think about my choice of toys.

I only care about my life and the memories I create and collect.

My life is mine. I will not let your history or opinion affects my present and my future.

Call me stupid, call me silly, call me boh-liao (can someone translate to ang-mo), call me whatever. Once I played with my toys, nothing you say matters.

These few nights, I know I will go to sleep dreaming of my toys. And waking up, admiring the curves and the engineering of these vehicles parked inside my house. Resembling my childhood bicycle rides along Katong landed pty estate, near my rental flat, separated by a smelly canal.

And even if I do not wake up tomorrow, so what, I know I have lived this life very very well.

Tell me, will you wait till 65 and then buy a nice car ?

Love, Marko
Investor, Practitioner and Full-Time Coach