You are mature and very intelligent. Your IQ is very high. (Everyone laughs.) And you know many things that I don’t know so why should I tell you everything? I can only tell you one thing: You have to become livelier. And whatever you want to do, do it! Whatever is fun for you, do it, as long as you don’t hurt other people. So if you want to get to know a movie star, then chase him! If you want to see the President, write to him.

If what you want has anything to do with political or social change in the world, it’s a little bit difficult. But concerning your own ambition or your own fun, it’s not that difficult, really. Just do it with all your sincerity and all your wish to succeed, and then you’ll get it. Most of the time, we’re miserable because we can’t succeed in what we want to do and because we have fear. Sometimes you love a person but you say, “Oh, he’s too handsome for me.” Who knows? Maybe you’re too beautiful for him! You never know. I don’t encourage you to chase around with boys. But, you see, that’s what makes our lives miserable: We don’t believe in ourselves, and we don’t try.

It’s very easy. For example, when I was very young, I looked up to those who worked in television or who owned television or radio stations, like they were God or second to God. But now I know it’s nothing; I could do it. I could make one; I could even buy one. It’s very easy and no big deal. Because if you don’t find out how people run or operate a station, you think they’re God. But it’s no big deal.

When I was in high school, I lived next to the Saigon Radio Station. It was a big one. I was next to it every day. And I didn’t know anything about it so I worshipped all the singers who came up and down, in and out, and all the personalities who passed around or next to my house, going inside that big massive God-like station. And I just sat around and dreamt that maybe one day I would sing or recite a poem in there; I just dreamt about it. And I never thought it would happen.

But sometimes the people in the radio station would have some kind of competition, like you would write a poem or answer some question and then they gave you a prize. So I tried and I won! Just once, but I never thought I could win. I thought it was too far-fetched for me. But actually, I only tried it once, and I won.

Afterwards, I changed to another district and didn’t have anything to do with the radio station anymore. I stayed there maybe only one or two years, but that was long enough. I could have gone inside and talked to the people and told them that I wanted to sing or recite a poem. I recited very well, so why didn’t I do it? Because no one told me the way I’m telling you to do it. (Applause) Of course, it’s no big deal that I didn’t become a singer. I would eventually, anyhow. But I lived all those years there, standing around the station not doing anything that I wanted to do. I could have, and I’d have had fun meanwhile. But maybe God didn’t want me to so it’s also fine.

What I mean is that you should just do it. I don’t think all of you will become Masters anyhow so why not have fun! (Laughter) Maybe God wanted me to become a Master so Hes “prevented” me, prevented the world’s most talented singer and artist at the time. (Applause) But nothing prevents you from doing what you want and fulfilling your dreams. Have fun “the last time!” Actually, I also have to try to have fun. I try all kinds of things to keep myself here. Otherwise, there’s nothing to keep me here so what can I do? ...Next Page