In his 50s, Andrew Lim, a seasoned real estate agent, exudes an aura of contentment and his demeanour imbued with elegance and tranquillity. Despite enduring the trials of business setbacks and teetering on the brink of bankruptcy in the past, he has emerged resilient. Presently immersed in the real estate industry, Andrew has traversed the spectrum of experiences, from the pinnacles of success to the depths of despair, gaining insights into the tapestry of human existence. With each passing day, his understanding of life's intricate map deepens, enabling him to navigate its myriad challenges with wisdom and grace.
"Don't be afraid to face even the worst outcome. Just accept it openly since you can't change it," Andrew said with a smile. "When I decided to let go of my business, I made a pact with myself to wholeheartedly accept whatever fate awaited, even the possibility of bankruptcy. I told myself to begin anew and that I am resilient enough to face whatever comes my way."
In the early 2000s, during his early thirties, Andrew, once an electronics engineer, saw a business opportunity in optical inspection for industrial automation. Confident of his business vision, he gave up his engineering profession to start his own business that specialised in designing, manufacturing and trading optical inspection instruments. Leaving a secure full-time career to venture into business, his hustle was as strong as ever. Not only did he travel between Singapore, Malaysia, and Taiwan for inspections, but he also travelled to different countries around the world to promote his business. His days were consumed with the meticulous management of human resources affairs and the orchestration of production processes, while nights were a whirlwind of networking dinners and social engagements to promote his burgeoning enterprise.
(Photo by Goh Shoo Weng)
Although he was a person who frequently consulted fortune tellers at that time, none mentioned to Andrew that he would ultimately become bankrupt.
Andrew was brimming with vigour when he was in his thirties. Making money filled him with a sense of accomplishment, leading him to believe that his success would continue. However, as time passed and he delved deeper into running his business, he came to the sobering realisation that numerous factors lay beyond his control. Confronted with the challenges of business expansion, staff management, and cash flow, he found himself at crossroads, uncertain of which direction to take and worried that the next step might lead him astray.
Time is money in the business world. Andrew was worried about making missteps that could squander valuable resources. At a loss and desperate for change, Andrew turned to Fengshui masters and fortune tellers for guidance, seeking their insights in the hopes of uncovering a swifter path to success.
In order to promote luck and fortune, he heeded the advice of a Fengshui master, who recommended him to place crystal cave or other Fengshui mascots in the office or home facing a specific direction. Looking back on the past, Andrew shook his head with a wry smile, admitting, "At the end, not only did I fail to make any money, but I ended up losing even more money because a piece of crystal item costed between 8,000 to 10,000 dollars. I went so far as to buy many pieces. "
After nine years of ups and downs, the company reached a critical juncture where it could no longer sustain operations. In 2013, Andrew made the difficult and painful decision to end his business. Overnight, he lost all his fortune and owed a total of SGD 280,000 to three banks. Faced with mounting debts and the looming threat of bankruptcy due to his inability to meet instalment payments, Andrew found himself in dire strait. Although he was a person who frequently consulted fortune tellers at that time, none mentioned to Andrew that he would ultimately become bankrupt.
Stumbling in his forties, Andrew confronted the harsh realities of financial turmoil for the first time. He sold the instruments and design patents in order to pay off his debts and to continue to pay salary and compensate terminated employees, while every remaining profit was transferred directly to the bank to pay off his loans.
"After persevering for so long, realising that it can't be salvaged, I should let it go altogether," said Andrew.
(Photo by Donn Tan)
This aphorism aided Andrew in releasing his obsession and ultimately led him to let go of his business.
Suffering from business failure and left with a mountain of debts in his middle age, Andrew felt bitter-sweet when reminiscing those memories. It turned out that two years before his business ended, Andrew met a teacher who told him that those who have enough blessings can change their destiny and that blessings can only be accumulated through doing good deeds. Having been introduced to Buddhism at a young age, these words deeply resonated with him.
Andrew and his wife, Ong Hui Shen, made an unprecedented trip to volunteer at Lion Befrienders to care for the elderly, but their desire to contribute further persisted. One day in 2011, as the couple drove along the Tampines Expressway, they noticed the grey building of the Jing Si Hall on the side of the road. Intrigued, they decided to explore it and learn about the volunteer services available.
Andrew was deeply moved after learning about Tzu Chi’s four missions that were established to provide appropriate support to different plights and needs in society. They soon became actively involved in Tzu Chi activities - environmental protection, charity home visits, Seeds of Hope Programme, blood donation campaign, Year End Blessing Ceremony and many more, which led to the couple’s trip to Taiwan to participate in the Entrepreneurs Retreat Camp.
"I can engage in volunteer work for charity while also learn about Buddha Dharma and cultivate spiritually at the same time," Andrew exclaimed. "This is the group I have been looking for!"
He found the process of immersing himself in sutra adaptation and group study particularly profound, as the teachings resonated with the challenges he faced in life. In 2011, Tzu Chi Singapore initiated the "Dharma as Water Sutra Adaptation" book clubs and group study sessions to prepare for the musical adaptation of the sutra scheduled for 2013.
"Evil causes, conditions and retributions must be clearly discerned no matter how subtle. The Law of Karma never fails. How can we not repent the karma we created?”
Andrew devoted much of his time to reading and delving into the study of Dharma. He also deeply reflected on his past eagerness and stubbornness in seeking quick success. As he became increasingly involved in Tzu Chi's work, he completely lost interest in fortune-telling and gradually shed his feelings of frustration and bitterness.
During these two years of spiritual cleansing, Andrew found solace in a Jing Si Aphorism: "As we put the front foot down, we lift the back foot up," signifying the importance of letting go of the past and focusing on the present. This insight aided Andrew in releasing his obsession and ultimately led him to let go of his business.
"When I gave up my business, I told myself that even if I go bankrupt, I'm perfectly fine with it because a bankrupt can still volunteer with Tzu Chi," he said in a calm and composed tone.
(Photo by Goh Shoo Weng)
Sometimes it was not easy for a client to find a property that met their needs or preference, but all it took was one comment by a Fengshui master that said "the orientation is not right" or "the toilet location is not right" to call off the transaction. That made Andrew laugh in tears.
He further added, "Being exposed to more Dharma teachings and actively engaging in service to others through practical actions have given me a clearer perspective. Through these, I have come to the realisation that my family is the most important."
Andrew used to be frequently absent from home in the past due to his business. The challenges he faced in his business also cast a shadow over his family, fostering a high-pressure environment for many years. Andrew is especially grateful to his wife, Ong Hui Shen, for her support and companionship along the way. Andrew shared that his wife had sacrificed a lot when he was running his business. She diligently managed the family affairs by herself and even gave him a helping hand when the business did not go well. She also offered him immense respect and understanding during challenging times. In his forties, with his career and family goals at the forefront of his mind, his vision of life has widened.
After a year or two of biding his time for the right opportunities in the shadows, Andrew embarked on a fresh start as a real estate agent. Despite facing daunting odds—a mere 20% to 30% pass rate—he obtained his estate agent license and honed his skills through practical experience. Nearly a decade of relentless dedication later, Andrew has ascended to the position of Senior Marketing Director (Senior Property Consultant). During the peak period, he consistently closes 5 deals each month, with a maximum of 10 deals in a month, and his performance has been improving year after year.
His responsibilities encompass both the sale and leasing of residential and commercial properties. Andrew shared that he is now more down-to-earth than before. He relies less on persuasive language and sales pitches, believing that the most important thing for a real estate agent is to be honest and trustworthy, and not to hide anything.
"There is no such thing as a perfect house, but I strive to meet all my clients' requests to the best of my ability."
Each client has unique needs, which are often reflected in their budgetary constraints. Therefore, it's essential to evaluate their financial parameters and make compromises when necessary. He will also patiently communicate with the customer and complete the full procedures before letting his clients sign the provisional agreement for sale and purchase or leasing, alleviating any doubts they may have.
Sometimes it was not easy for a client to find a property that met their needs or preference, but all it took was one comment by a Fengshui master that said "the orientation is not right" or "the toilet location is not right" to call off the transaction. That made Andrew laugh in tears. He said, "That is ignorance. Yet, I've been guilty of similar behaviour in the past, so I can understand."
(Photo by Donn Tan)
Altering one’s fate doesn't hinge on superstition. Whether one experiences good luck or adversity is solely determined by one’s thoughts and actions.
Reflecting on his journey, Andrew recognises that life's blessings and misfortunes intertwine. He acknowledges, "If I hadn't encountered Tzu Chi, I might have persisted in my struggles within the business world, as I'm not one to easily give up." Little did he realise that sometimes stepping back and releasing control is essential to embrace new happiness.
As his business performance continues to thrive year after year, whenever his peers ask him about his secret to closing deals, he will answer them in a mysterious tone, "My secret is to do more good deeds, and the results will speak for themselves."
While his advice may sound a bit like a religious “chicken soup”, he emphasised that good deeds aren't extraordinary acts but rather daily practices attainable by everyone. He suggested, "One can choose to donate money, if not, simply help the elderly cross the street or do volunteer work."
Andrew opines that doing good deeds is only a surface-level action. The focus should be on one’s intention when doing these things, with no preconceived purpose, or seeking any kind of return. As long as the intention is pure, and what is done is beneficial to others, there will be people who reciprocate, whether through material, monetary, or spiritual means. And in the end, the ones who help others will be benefited.
He lamented that when he entrusted his destiny to others in the past, he still grappled with a great sense of uncertainty in his heart. In order to escape from the inevitable anxieties and uncertainties of life, he often found himself straying down misguided paths, squandering valuable time. Now, after committing himself to Tzu Chi, he does his work honestly, engages in self-reflection, and confronts uncertainties with courage, fostering personal growth from within. Ironically, that helped him to grow more at peace the more he strives in his career.
Thus, Andrew, who is English-educated, also dedicates himself to making a greater contribution to the English-speaking community by leveraging online technology to facilitate the spread of Dharma teachings in the English group. "Do your part first before slowly spreading the good thoughts and deeds."
Similar to his role as a real estate agent, "It's all about providing services, helping clients with their housing problems, and being sincere, regardless of whether or not a deal can be reached in the end."
Altering one’s fate doesn't hinge on superstition. Whether one experiences good luck or adversity is solely determined by one’s thoughts and actions. Living a peaceful and simple life is the greatest blessing.
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