Today’s submission from the Share Your Story campaign comes from Stephen Ping Hi Cheung of Richmond, Canada.
Stephen made one of the biggest sacrifices anyone can make on behalf of his family and future generations. Let’s take a look at his incredible journey.
“The year was 1994, when our family, with our two young boys, came to Richmond, BC (Metro Vancouver), Canada from Hong Kong, which was still a British Colony. I sold my share in a computer parts wholesale business and was looking for other work. There was the idea of getting work in Toronto (more plentiful opportunities) or going back to Hong Kong, say another year later.”
I travel a lot. In fact, I’m a three million-miler on Delta, but I have never been faced with the decision to leave my home. Stephen, you decided to leave your business and your home at the same time. I can’t imagine how difficult that must have been. You not only left both, but you also didn’t have a job in Canada at the time.
As a family man with two boys myself, I know the weight of making decisions that carry potential repercussions for everybody. The gravity of those choices can feel crushing at times, but you pushed ahead. This shows such faith in your own ability to make something work, even if it’s going to be hard.
“There were two issues: The minor one was the trouble of moving. (Too much work. Indeed, we have lived in the same house in Richmond ever since. We are now empty nesters and have three grandchildren we can visit often.)”
I’ve only moved a few times, and it usually included loading the pickup and hauling it over a county or two a couple of times. Moving internationally is a whole other story. The fact that you share that you still live in the same house where you originally landed tells me that you’re willing to make things work…from anywhere. That kind of grit cannot be taught. It can be encouraged, but not taught.
“But the major reason was the FEAR of moving on behalf of our two young boys: They had to adjust to using English in Canada, and if we were to move back to Hong Kong after three years (with a Canadian passport, then possible), they would have to adjust to Chinese again. Their happy childhood would be GONE.”
I used to worry about how my job might impact my boys. I was gone so much. Sometimes, I had to make really tough decisions about which parts of their lives I could miss and which parts I couldn’t. You uprooted your whole family for a better life, putting their needs above your own. Stephen, this is the pinnacle of leading with a heart of service. They say service starts at home, and your actions really speak louder than your words here. There is not enough praise in all of Georgia to commend you enough for the sacrifices you made and the fear you overcame to do it.
“So much fear that I decided to make it work in Metro Vancouver. By divine guidance, I found Primerica. I worked hard to make sure that we did not need to move. Using all the tools of the business, it worked out very well. Happy children, happy grandchildren, and multi-generational wealth for our family, going from strength to strength as well.”
That was one thing I loved so much about Primerica: Your success was directly proportionate to the amount of work you were willing to put in. I love how you said going from strength to strength. Even if doubt clouded your mind and worry overtook you, you moved forward and made it happen.
Reflection
I hope that anyone reading this will put themselves in Stephen’s shoes: To leave your industry, the only home you’ve known, and uproot your family of four who rely on you for everything, to move literally halfway around the world without a job to go to or a solid place to land—talk about faith!
When I say you “feel the fear and do it anyway,” this is an epic example of what I mean. It’s proof that we are capable of doing big things; things well outside the realm of what we dream might be possible for ourselves.
From Stephen’s story, we can learn:
- One of the greatest leadership roles we can take is to take responsibility for the well-being of our family.
- When you don’t know exactly where you are going or exactly what you are doing, the possibilities are limitless.
- Sometimes when we are acting on behalf of others, we have more reason to summon the courage we need to do the hard things. In other words, serving others makes us stronger.
To Stephen: I am so impressed with your story and to hear about the wealth you have created for your family. You are a shining example of what’s possible when you have a bias for action and you trust in your ability to turn fear into fuel!
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