As a former American expat in China, I’ve been following your account since before the pandemic. It was heartbreaking to see that like so many families, yours was broken up during the pandemic . I’m so glad you’re reunited with your girls! Are they permanently back in China? Life in China is so exciting and teaches so many valuable lessons for young people, and I fully believe that there are endless things there to discover.

@michaelmast_nomadicthrive

Ай бұрын

Thank you! Yes, they are here permanently. Thanks for watching!

There is a Chinese saying going like "四十不惑，五十而知天命“， which means at 40 years old you will not get confused by what happens in your life and at 50 you will get comfortable with who you are. So life starts at 50 and enjoy it

@michaelmast_nomadicthrive

Ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing this wisdom with me!

@keshen297

Ай бұрын

@@michaelmast_nomadicthrive This passage comes from Confucius, recorded in "The Analects: On Governance". The original text could be translated: " I set my heart on learning at fifteen. At thirty, I took my stand. At forty, I was free from doubts. At fifty, I understood the mandate of heaven. At sixty, my ear was attuned to what I heard. At seventy, I could follow my heart's desire without transgressing what is right."

@tonglu3699

29 күн бұрын

@@michaelmast_nomadicthrive In Christian terms, it essentially means “By 50, you would have learned what God’s plan is for you.”

I'm 51 this year, and I think life is beautiful, and gifted to us for free. Enjoy it, fully!

Although I'm still on my "1st half", I appreciated that 2nd half talk. That was a deep monologue.

I am 51 and really like your idea to reset the life

@michaelmast_nomadicthrive

Ай бұрын

Yes! Let’s do it! Never too late!

"Be free of religious or cultural norms if it does not serve you." Well said. I totally agree.

@michaelmast_nomadicthrive

Ай бұрын

We are conditioned by nearly everything we are taught… I’m learning to question everything and drop what doesn’t work for me. Thanks for watching!

Well said I was a friend of your Dad . I think we were about 10 years old when we first meant from playing football. Then at Roosevelt we played football together. He was left guard I was the center. Then he went his way and I mine. Then about 15 years later I went to work at the Guard. For 25 years with your Dad we talked a lot about life and things I miss him to this day. So now I'm going on 76 and keep looking for challenges. My brain thinks I'm 30 but my body thinks I'm not but I keep pushing on with new things to do. So listen to your brain not your body! Lee Higdon

@michaelmast_nomadicthrive

Ай бұрын

Hey Lee! Great to hear from you! I really appreciate this message… Thank you for sharing your memories of my dad with me.

A new subscriber from Shenzhen, China is here. I watched some of the videos on your channel, although I haven’t finished them all yet. It’s very interesting to see China from your perspective. I find that you are a very interesting and in-depth blogger. I also checked out some of your Instagram content. You are an amazing thinker. Your content makes me think more about the deeper issues of life, rather than just focusing on external things (such as scenery, food, etc.). Thank you for making me grow. I will always pay attention to your content and hope everything goes well for you in Shanghai.❤

@michaelmast_nomadicthrive

Ай бұрын

Thank you for the kind words! I appreciate the support!

I'm now 53 but still waiting for my turn to liberate myself. Hope I won't be afraid or get lost when the time comes to me. Also, wish you the all the best and success. I'm watching you!

@michaelmast_nomadicthrive

Ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing! But don’t wait… we don’t have time. Start now, whatever it is, just the smallest step is enough. After that we can build. One small step a day. Good luck to you! And thanks for watching!

Your two daughters are so adorable, thx for sharing ^_^

@michaelmast_nomadicthrive

Ай бұрын

You are so kind

I just subscribe ur life story heart touching for many people because Middle Ages common man story. God bless u and ur family.

@michaelmast_nomadicthrive

27 күн бұрын

Thank you so much 🙂

Glad to see your new video again. I am 45 years old and already live in Shanghai for 28 years since the university in 1996 . I also think what and how my next half life(life journey) will/should be. Wish your new life and project exciting and successful, look for your new sharing.

@michaelmast_nomadicthrive

Ай бұрын

Thank you for watching! I appreciate it!

Thanks I came across this video accidentally ... Im same age as you and I just got laid off work ... There has been a lot of lay offs in America recently and I am trying to not feel depressed. I know what I want to do but I just hope I have some good luck this year. 2024 has been a difficult year for me and after listening to you I realize I cannot give up at this time of my life.

@michaelmast_nomadicthrive

29 күн бұрын

Sorry to hear this… It’s definitely a tough situation you’re facing. I’m glad you got something out of the video, and I think we all need to remind each other to keep going. Keep working on ourselves, no matter the shitshow our world delivers to us. I didn’t see my wife and kids for four years due to COVID restrictions in China (where I work) and that was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to endure. But… it taught me a lot about myself. That I’m more capable than I thought. I wish you luck and sending good vibes your direction!

Can’t believe I didn’t find your channel earlier! Love it

@michaelmast_nomadicthrive

Ай бұрын

Thank you for the kind words!

i found this from your lovely daughter's channel,reallylike your family's videos especially this one.and look forward to your next video

@michaelmast_nomadicthrive

Ай бұрын

Thank you!

@rider2731

18 күн бұрын

I did too. I envy your life in China. I’ve been to China six times, and every time I went there, I discovered new and exciting things.

@zylbygdfn6542

Күн бұрын

Hahaha me 2

Try to film and share more!!

I enjoy your video content! Though I'm a bit younger than you, your videos are incredibly inspiring, and you definitely deserve more subscribers and sharing your channel with my friends here in NY and NJ.

@michaelmast_nomadicthrive

Ай бұрын

Thank you! I appreciate the support!

To your two daughters .The listening and speaking parts of Chinese are very easy and simple.As for the writing part, take time, it's not urgent.

@Eric-Lau-

23 күн бұрын

The requirements and restrictions in China for foreign nationals to enter prestigious universities are very simple. I think if they graduate from famous universities in Shanghai or Beijing and are familiar with China and the United States, they will far surpass many Americans in areas such as economy, culture, media, etc. The fields they can enter in the future are limitless! Recommend Peking University, Tsinghua University in Beijing, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Fudan University in Shanghai. They may meet the standard requirements.

With you.

This video has hit me really hard, like a punch in the face and I am glad I watched it. I needed the wake up call, life is too short. Thank you very much for putting your feelings out there and sharing this with us.

@michaelmast_nomadicthrive

Ай бұрын

Thank you for watching! I happy this resonated with you… Seems a lot of us feel stuck and unfulfilled. But we can figure it out.

I hope you will find your way pretty soon. Enjoy life a bit more, put down your burden. Look how wonderful your 2 angels. Wish you the best Mike

@michaelmast_nomadicthrive

26 күн бұрын

Thank you!

Have you ever considered that "search" might be the aim of your life. I was in an equal thought process were at the end after decades asking myself accepted to be a "searcher" and this changes my whole perspective.

@seekx2y556

Ай бұрын

路漫漫其修远兮，吾将上下而求索

really enjoyed listening to your thoughts on this! Thanks for sharing. & how cute is that boy at 6:06 ?!

On point!

@michaelmast_nomadicthrive

Ай бұрын

Thank you!

Loved this video a lot - so much „food for thought“! Thank you, Michael 🙏🏻 Really looking forward to this new series.

@michaelmast_nomadicthrive

Ай бұрын

Thank you for watching!!

I feel so mentally old at 21... Maybe just a quarter life crisis, idk. Could also be the acute awareness of how fast my perception of time has gotten. Travel helps to slow it down a bit compared to monotonous life at university, but I'm searching to find new methods to get better results.

I love your videos, God bless you

@michaelmast_nomadicthrive

15 күн бұрын

Glad you like them!

omg, I've been thinking about this same thing over the last couple days suddenly and I am the same age. The tube algorithm knows my thoughts? 😂 btw, the video is beautiful and inspiring. 👍

@michaelmast_nomadicthrive

Ай бұрын

I’m glad you enjoyed the video!

Only thing I will think about & regret when near death is not spending enough time with loved ones.

Great video! I am glad that you are reunited with your children. As a 60 years old, I think it is perfectly healthy to have doubt about the second half. For many of us, the transition really occurs when children move out of the house. It is important to have your own expectations. Aging will happen and we will feel the gradual decline of both physical and mental fitness. However, experience and wisdom that comes from past experience are invaluable in the pursuit of new goals.

@michaelmast_nomadicthrive

23 күн бұрын

Thank you for the amazing insight and thoughts! I love your perspective!

🤔🤔🤔

Travel in China. Xinjiang.

@michaelmast_nomadicthrive

11 күн бұрын

Yes! Would love to visit there… It’s on my list of places to see.

Unfortunately for Most... Middle age is around 36-38. Early planning for the last half of life is key to success.

me too. I reset my age😂 to 50❤

Don't put too much on expectation then you will be more happy. Enjoy what you like best - don't fret out by thinking negative things. Don't delve on your mistakes as we human will make mistakes and no point of going over it to regret the mistakes. Get a healthy lifestyle eg. morning light jogging and eat healthier food ie avoid fatty food. Get yourself occupied with a hobby to keep you going, without giving your mind to go into the negative thoughts. Don't delve into the past too much becos what you get is only regret as everyone is NOT perfect. But your video here is good enuf to let other younger people to learn what is ahead of them, that is a good thing to do. But don't worry - when our time has come, it will come but we all will BE BACK as I believe the universe is a cyclic universe. Science (Quantum Mechanics) has already said so much about the universe, everything in the universe is made of atoms and atom is just energy. We human are just energy and energy don't disappear, they just change from one form to another. Like what Arnold Schwarzenegger (actor) said in his Terminator movie "I will be back" ... as we all will be back !! So at the mean time, live your life to the fullest and enjoy the company with your family.

According to heaven humans are allowed to live to 125

my understanding is first half you live in shanghai and last half you still live in shanghai? not much change

@michaelmast_nomadicthrive

14 күн бұрын

I’ve lived in Shanghai for 7 years. Before that Vietnam and various cities across California.

结尾是中国食品“锅出溜”，加上了奇怪的配料

上海适合赚钱，但，不适合生活养老😂！昆明不错四季如春！成都适合养老！😊

Age? Stick to modern super healthy diet and a strict exercise routine, 50s is just biologically "new 30s", easily! Capabilities, drive, enthusiasm, and a clear mind are the most important factors to live any life. I am experiencing a similar change in life. I am going to move to Shenzhen next month! Can't wait for it, so excited... China is super safe, super convenient & affordable , free of violence and drugs, fast-paced, ultra competitive economy... is perhaps the best place in the world right now for your teen daughters to grow up.

@michaelmast_nomadicthrive

Ай бұрын

Yes, totally agree! Thank you for sharing!

Wisdom is not gained through accumulation of knowledge, no matter how much knowledge you have you won't be a wise man. You gain wisdom when there are freedom from the known ( knowledge/experience )

@michaelmast_nomadicthrive

Ай бұрын

So true... thanks for sharing!

love your video, followed you on Instagram for a while.

@michaelmast_nomadicthrive

Ай бұрын

Thank you for watching!!

原来那个Sophia Mast是你女儿，我还想那个小姑娘怎么没成年就跟着家里人来中国