Dear 64-Year-Old Mazlan,
I received your letter today. I had to read it slowly, not because my eyesight has failed me—oh, technology has taken care of that with some advanced vision implants—but because every word you wrote carried so much weight, emotion, and truth.
Yes, I am still here. At 100, my hands may not be as steady, but my mind is as sharp as ever. My heart still beats with that restless energy, though now it beats with more reflection than urgency. So, let me take my time responding to your questions, fears, and, most importantly, your hopes.
Did I Ever Learn to Slow Down?
Ah, Mazlan, you and I both know the answer to this one. Slowing down was never in our nature. Even now, my mind refuses to stay still. But did I learn to savor the moment? Yes. It took time—decades- but eventually, I understood that not every race needs to be won at full speed.
You were right to worry about always chasing the next big thing. It was an addiction, wasn’t it? That hunger to create, to disrupt, to innovate. But here’s what I want you to know—I did find a balance. It wasn’t an overnight revelation. It wasn’t some grand epiphany. It was a slow realization, like dawn gradually turning into morning.
I learned that the world will always be moving, shifting, and changing. But sometimes, the best thing you can do is just be present. Enjoy the coffee rather than thinking about the next meeting. Sit with loved ones without checking your notifications. Watch a sunset without feeling the need to capture it on a device.
You don’t have to stop dreaming, Mazlan. Just make sure you take the time to live within those dreams, too.
Did FAVORIOT Become the Legacy We Dreamed Of?
Ah, FAVORIOT. Our baby. The company that kept us awake at night, that pushed us beyond our limits, that made us believe we could change the world.
Yes, it grew. Yes, it became something bigger than you could ever imagine. But here’s what you got wrong—you thought success would come from industry domination, from being at the forefront of IoT. And while FAVORIOT did thrive, its most tremendous success wasn’t in the numbers. It was in the people.
You see, FAVORIOT became more than just a company. It became a movement. It became a space where young minds could dream, innovations could flourish, and problems could find solutions. It wasn’t just about technology—it was about impact.
And Malaysia? Well, let’s just say we got there. It took longer than we hoped, and we faced obstacles we never saw coming. But the seeds you planted? They grew. The smart cities, the IoT-driven solutions, and the technology that made lives easier all became part of the fabric of daily life.
So yes, you did well, my younger self. You fought for something real. And it was worth it.
What Did Time Teach Me?
So much. Too much to fit into a single letter. But if I could tell you just a few things, this is what I would say:
- What are the things that keep you up at night now? They won’t matter as much as you think. The worries about whether you’re doing enough, whether you’re on the right path, whether people recognize your work—it all fades. The real value of your life won’t be measured in titles or accolades but in the people who sit beside you in your quiet moments.
- Mistakes are inevitable, but regrets are optional. You will make choices that don’t always work out. You will take risks that fail. You will hurt and be hurt. But the only thing worse than making mistakes is living with the fear of making them.
- Love deeply and without hesitation. Ultimately, it won’t be the projects you completed that you think about. It will be the people. The ones who stood by you, believed in you, and loved you even when you were too busy to notice. Give them your time. Give them your heart.
Did the World Change for the Better?
Ah, this is a tricky one. Yes and no. Technology has advanced beyond our wildest imaginations. We have achieved things you wouldn’t believe in, such as AI, robotics, and space travel. But humanity? Well, we’re still figuring that out.
There were moments of brilliance—people coming together to solve global crises, to use technology for good, and to build a future that was more inclusive, more sustainable, and more intelligent. But there were also setbacks. Greed, division, and short—sightedness still existed, just in different forms.
But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this—progress is never a straight line. It’s messy. It’s complicated. But as long as there are people who believe in doing better, pushing forward with integrity, and using knowledge for good, there is always hope.
And you, Mazlan, were one of those people. That, I am confident of.
Am I at Peace?
Ah, my dear younger self. This is the question that made me pause the longest.
Yes. I am at peace.
Not because I achieved everything I set out to do, avoided failure, or because life was perfect.
I am at peace because I lived. I gave my all to the things I believed in. I learned to love and be loved. I left something behind—not just in the world but in the hearts of the people who knew me.
I am at peace because I know I mattered.
Final Words to You, My Younger Self
So, what did you get right? Almost everything.
What did you get wrong? You thought happiness was something to chase. It never was. It was always right there—in the moments, people, and journey itself.
And yes, Mazlan. I am happy.
So keep going, keep dreaming, keep building.
And when the time comes, know that you will look back at your life not with regret but with gratitude.
With all the wisdom that time has granted me,
Mazlan (Your 100-Year-Old Self)
Dr. Mazlan Abbas 