“We come with nothing. We leave with nothing.” – Master Shi Heng Yi
These eight words have been playing on my mind since I first heard Master Shi Heng Yi on Diary of a CEO and then Modern Wisdom.
A few weeks ago, I shared a post online that included this quote, and a friend of mine offered an alternative perspective.
His viewpoint was that we do leave planet Earth with something which is our legacy and the difference we make.
And I don’t disagree with him.
What Master Shi Heng Yi Really Meant
In fact, I believe the main purpose of our time on this planet, between when we are born and when we move on to our next incarnation (if you believe that), is to make a difference. That’s the greatest thing we can dedicate ourselves to.
How we leave people feeling after they’ve been in our company and what people say about us when we’re gone is what truly matters.
That legacy, as my friend highlighted, is what we take with us.
However, I don’t think that’s what Master Shi Heng Yi meant by:
“We come with nothing. We leave with nothing.”
I believe he was pointing instead to the futility of chasing possessions, material wealth, and financial success just to fit in with societal expectations or impress others.
As Gary Vaynerchuk often says, we buy dumb stuff with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t even like.
In the process, we end up acquiring more than we need, accumulating debt, stress, and dissatisfaction. We lose sight of who we truly are and what life is really about.
And we can’t even take any of it with us when we pass.
So again, for what purpose?
I think this is the essence of what Master Shi Heng Yi was referring to.
Even during the pursuit of material success, many people live in misery. Why?
Because they’ve lost their “why” or never had a “why” in the beginning, and have forgotten their values, and are disconnected from their own path.
They find themselves in a cycle of dis-ease, pain, and dissatisfaction.
Again, I ask, for what purpose?
Surely, our time on Earth is to be enjoyed, not spent suffering under the pressure we place on ourselves.
Life can be hard enough, with its own challenges that we don’t need to bring dis-ease, pain and dissatisfaction upon ourselves.
Why Chasing Success Isn’t the Problem
Now, don’t get me wrong: I’m not against acquiring possessions, material wealth, or financial success.
And I’m certainly not saying we should all become monks, meditating on top of a mountain in the Alps for the rest of our lives.
We don’t live in that world, and frankly, I think it could probably get boring after a while.
When pursued meaningfully and intentionally, possessions, material wealth, and financial success can bring joy and happiness and improve our quality of life. But it must align with our values and what we truly want, not what society tells us we should want.
Even then, these things mustn’t own us. They should be an extension of who we already are, not the definition.
When we get crystal clear on what we actually want, we often realise it’s not that much, especially when it comes to material things.
I realised that most of the things I genuinely desire relate to health (I’d love a sauna!) and, more importantly, shared experiences with friends, family, and loved ones.
That, for me, is what matters, not upgrading my phone every 12 months.
Getting Clear on What You Actually Want
I use a process called Lifebook to help define my life vision.
There are many visioning tools out there. While I recommend Lifebook, I encourage you to find whatever works best for you.
It may take trial and error, but even simply journaling about what you want or jotting down thoughts in your notes app can bring clarity and shift your focus.
Remember: where attention goes, energy flows.
Once you gain clarity on what you want, you can begin to adjust your current reality to align with it.
Living Consciously Between Birth and Death
As Master Shi Heng Yi said:
“We come with nothing. We leave with nothing.”
What happens between the time that we are born and the time that we pass on is up to US.
And I’m realising more and more that between these times it’s playtime.
Playtime to create our very best lives possible with the people we love and care for the most, and whatever that includes for us personally.
Just be sure that you’re the one choosing what to include.
And are not being forced, dragged, conditioned, or manipulated into what to include by society and all of the forces around us.
This requires us to live consciously and intentionally.
While not always easy. It’s totally worth it.
Key Takeaways on Living Intentionally
- The Real Meaning of the Quote: The phrase “We come with nothing. We leave with nothing” highlights the pointlessness of chasing material possessions just to impress others or meet societal expectations. This pursuit often leads to stress and dissatisfaction, distracting you from what truly matters.
- Success Isn’t the Enemy: Pursuing financial success or material wealth is not inherently bad. The key is to do so intentionally, ensuring your goals align with your personal values and genuinely improve your quality of life, rather than letting possessions define who you are.
- Gain Clarity on Your Desires: To live intentionally, you must first get clear on what you actually want. Using methods like journaling or visioning tools can help you define your personal vision, shifting your focus to meaningful experiences and goals.
- Live Consciously Between Birth and Death: The time you have is an opportunity to create your best possible life. This means making conscious choices about what you include in your life, free from the pressures of society, and focusing on what brings you and your loved ones genuine joy.
FAQs for We Come with Nothing, Leave with Nothing
What does the quote “We come with nothing, we leave with nothing” really mean?
It suggests that the endless chase for material possessions to impress others is ultimately futile. Since you can’t take these things with you when you die, the focus should be on living a meaningful life, building a positive legacy, and finding joy in experiences, not just things.
Is it wrong to want to be successful and own nice things?
Not at all. The article encourages pursuing success and wealth, but only when it is done intentionally and aligns with your core values. These things should be an extension of who you are and contribute to your happiness, not become the sole definition of your life or a source of stress.
How can I figure out what I truly want in life?
You can start by dedicating time to self-reflection. Simple practices like journaling your thoughts or using a notes app to jot down what inspires you can bring immense clarity. For a more structured approach, you might explore visioning tools that guide you in defining your ideal life across different areas.
Why do so many people feel unhappy even when they achieve success?
Many people feel unhappy because they lose sight of their ‘why’ or never had one to begin with. They get caught in a cycle of chasing what society tells them they should want, which disconnects them from their own values and personal path, leading to dissatisfaction and a sense of unease.
What is the main takeaway from this article?
The central message is to live consciously and intentionally. It’s about you choosing what your life includes, based on your own values and desires, rather than being manipulated by external pressures. Life is a time for you to create your best experiences with the people you care about most.
