Personal Thoughts on an Up Close and Personal with Director Tsui Hark 徐克

The melody of familiar classic Chinese music echoes through the hall, bringing back childhood memory of watching Hong Kong films.

The vision on screen floats across the Chinese vessels, creating a time travel back to ancient China.

The characters demonstrate light skill (qinggong 轻功 – specific martial art methods and techniques that train the body to be light and nimble) and martial arts, bringing us closer to the world of wuxia (武侠 - a broad genre of Chinese fiction concerning the adventures of martial artists).

This is the scene that opens the curtain for Flying Swords of Dragon Gate <龙门飞甲>, directed, produced and written by Tsui Hark (徐克), an internationally acclaimed, prominent director and producer whose works centred around wuxia world.

This is the scene that opens the curtain for Flying Swords of Dragon Gate <龙门飞甲>, directed, produced and written by Tsui Hark (徐克), an internationally acclaimed, prominent director and producer whose works centred around wuxia world.

It was a great honour to be given the opportunity to attend the exclusive preview of this 2011 movie with the students of the college I’m currently attaching to. To add more spices to it, the itinerary of the day had included an hour of “Movie Making Workshop with director Tsui Hark”, an up close and personal experience where the director himself shared his knowledge and experience in film-making with media students of 3 colleges in Klang Valley, Malaysia. 

Being graduated from Mass Communication with selected pathway of Film & TV, this was my first encounter of such event. It was such an inspiring and aspiring sharing that has triggered my inner desire to pursue creative writing path to fulfil my curiosity and creative energy. Since I was a little kid, I am attracted to Hong Kong films and dramas and enjoy improvising the story (on mind) which I still do today.

Director Tsui Hark shared that when constructing a scene, he will decide on the feeling to be brought out of the scene first before working on its treatment. Shall this scene reflect love, kindred spirit, revenge, hatred etc.? What is the level of the emotion – light, average, strong – for this scene?

My mind started to wonder that this principle could be applied to our daily life too. Shall we live our day and moment with love, hatred, etc.? How strong and long shall we attach to that emotion? Many of those self-empowerment books and write-ups I’ve read mention something like “Life is like a big canvas where we write/direct/paint/draw on the blank piece of white cloth.” It is up to us how we want to write the script of our own life.

Commenting on the trend of remaking, the director felt that there is no meaning in remaking if there is no reason and no new perspective added to it because it is equivalent to the absence of breakthrough in innovation.

Thinking back, I’ve always wanted to create something new, something that reflects my style yet at the same thing bringing out the common things that the others can relate to – something different enough to create a breakthrough.

From the sharing session, I came to realization that the language used in communicating ideas is very important, not only for a director but between humans. “Language” here means having the same channel of thoughts when the message is communicated. Sometimes, despite communicating in the same language (i.e. English), the message is not fully understood due to the different imagination and perception of the different individuals. How can we tune it to the same language, same channel? Perhaps this is what we call the chemistry?

*The Italic words are those of the director while the others are my understanding based on the sharing.

* Photo source: http://www.chinapress.com.my/node/278627

*Love & Hope for better tomorrow*

~Si3wLiNg~

20111226

Recognizing Your Peak Performance Pattern

If I’m not at my desk by 4am I feel like I’m missing my most productive hours. In addition to starting early, I keep an antique hour glass on my desk and every hour break briefly to do push-ups, sit-ups, and some quick stretches. I find this helps keep the blood (and ideas) flowing. 

~ Dan Brown, writer

I did figure out that I tended to write good stuff first thing in the morning. So I had all this free time in the rest of the day that I had to occupy with something other than writing. Because if I sat and wrote, I’d just bury the good stuff I’d written in crap and have to excavate it later. I did some construction work with a friend of mine. Basically, the work habit I developed out of all that was of setting things up so I could write in the morning and then stop and exercise my penchant for getting into the nitty-gritty details of physical things. Not because that was productive in any way but because it kept me from screwing up whatever I happened to be writing. I tried to pattern things that way ever since. 

~ Neal Stephenson, writer

Have you ever experienced those situations? That no matter how hard you push yourself forward at certain time of the day, you’re still unable to meet your target? Have you opted to try to break your pattern of habits but yet it is still unachievable?

Ever since the day we were born, our personality, thoughts and habits have been shaped in us through the influences of the external environment. And these elements themselves aren’t easy to break as it requires a huge energy of determination and persistence. If those elements are those of positive and don’t cause any harm to self and others, why not try to recognize and put your focus on them instead of breaking them?

These questions will help you in recognizing your peak performance pattern:

1. Which time of the day am I most productive and focused?

2. Am I an early bird or a night owl?

3. What are the matters that distract me from my focus, and eventually disrupt the flow of the creative process, in which at times I won’t be able to regain the correct composure and need to call it a day?

4. Which is the best way for me to perform well – working in an open space or isolate myself to complete my assignment?

5. What is the maximum time I could remain static with one task or in a day?

6. What are the physical signs that remind me on my overworking, that I need to take a break?

7. When were the days when I feel mentally fatigue despite having sufficient and sound sleep? What were the matters I did on those days?

8. Do I perform better under tight deadline, rushing from one task to another, and sometimes need to juggle between 2 tasks at a time?

9. Do I perform better under last minute decision?

10. Do I perform better under good and early planning?

11. Do I perform better if I’m given sufficient time to work under my comfortable speed?

12. Do I perform better and more focused if I focus on 1-2 tasks over a time period or multi-tasking?

13. What are the tools I need for me to perform my best? 

14. What makes me feel satisfied and accomplished by the end of the day?

15. Do I depend on myself or on others in order for me to perform well?

16. Am I a self-started or need someone to push me to excel?

17. How many hours of rest time do I need in a day? In a week? When is the best moment to take a rest?

I never could have done what I have done without the habits of punctuality, order, and diligence, without the determination to concentrate myself on one subject at a time. 

~ Charles Dickens

I couldn’t agree more with Charles Dickens as those are the habits my parents have imparted into my daily life since I started schooling to help me achieve excellence. I’m still practicing these values and they have never disappointed me even once.

Two years back, when I tried to break away from those habits of “being an early-bird” to suit myself into the majority of “night owls, last minute practitioners and rushers”, all I received is lack of the feelings of satisfaction and accomplishment by the end of the day. On top of that, I felt even worse – mental fatigue despite sufficient and sound sleep the night before. And this fatigueness would persist until the arrival of the next rest day. Then, I realize that I shall stick to my original pattern for me to achieve peak performance. I’m not part of the majority but at least my “early-bird” attitude does not cause them any harm, it eases them. When I feel satisfied and accomplished, the positive feelings will linger around me, acting as motivation and inspiration for better performance. Sometimes, others might feel that I’m isolating myself but actually, this is my pattern of putting all my focus on completing my tasks.

What’s your pattern of peak performance? You might have weird patterns but as long as it leads you to excellence and happiness, everything else doesn’t matter anymore…

I write until the first draft is finished, and then I feel that I can get out. But, during the time of the writing of the first draft, I don’t go out. I’m just locked away, writing. It’s a time of meditation, of going into the story. You know, I feel that there’s a dark space, and I go into that dark space where the story is. And I just have to show up every day with a candle, and slowly, it will start to unfold…It’s a real candle, but it’s also a metaphysical candle…I don’t like clocks. And if I have a candle, for as long as the candle is burning, I write. And then, when it’s over, when it burns off, I can have dinner and get out, and do things. 

~ Isabel Allende, writer

From the time we’re born until we die, we’re kept busy with artificial stuff that isn’t important. Being able to escape makes it possible for me to deal with popular culture. I get some of my best work done at the ranch. When I’m in town, I sit in front of my computer, connected to the world. I need to go away in order to think. 

~ Tom Ford, designer

Occasionally, I go off for a few days just to sit somewhere on my own. I refer to it as “going into the abyss.” I don’t even take books because they’re another way of engaging in the group consciousness. The idea is that I’ll spend some time in a quite boring place where I don’t know anybody and I don’t speak the language.

~ Brian Eno, musician

*Love and Hope for better tomorrow*

~Si3wLiNg~

20111106

Simplicity Comes With Responsibility

At times, you might be thinking why we need to work so hard for a living…You might start thinking about having a simple life and starting to put down your entire burden, thinking that after all, it doesn’t really matter even if you simply do it or done in the not-so-right way – embracing the “who cares” attitude.

Here the problem lies. When a task is done with ‘simply’ attitude, it not only affects the quality of the result but also affects the whole process and other people. In other word, it bears down to the level of responsibility and accountability one has towards his/her life, family, career, society, etc.

Aiming to produce good/best result is not about striving for perfection, but it is about responsibility and self-respect towards the responsibility. Unfortunately, many people around us do not get the point here as they are unaware of the consequences that might occur due to their one ‘simply’ or ‘who cares’ action.

Imagine:

1. An accountant enters wrong figure or misses a decimal point into the accounting sheet, causing losses to those involved.
2. A physician prescribes wrong formulation, causing adverse effects on the patient.
3. An admin staff keys in wrong information on customer database, causing overbilling.
4. A journalist misinterprets the situation and information, causing defamation.
5. A food hawker puts the wrong ingredient into the delicacy, causing food poisoning.

If you are the ‘victim’ of the above situations, will you file a complaint to the governing/monitoring body? You definitely will, don’t you? And this applies to ourselves too when we are assigned to take up a responsibility. Embrace it with your heart.

Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better. – Pat Riley

Excellence depends on ambition, the will to do well. Ambition motivates you to constantly challenge yourself. It’s the drive that helps you realize your dream. Have grand expectations – even immodestly high ones – and believe in them. Only when ambition prevails over inhibition is excellence truly possible. – J. Pincott in Excellence

However, do not look at ‘ambition’ as being overly ambitious without action or setting impractical aim – such as arriving at a location 200km away in half an hour by car - because in the end, the quality of the result is the one that really matters.

Ambition needs to be put into action. Without action, you will go nowhere from this point. And this brings us to another responsibility-related matter affecting the working world I’ve encountered:

There are 6 types of people:

1. One who speaks a lot and gets lots of things done
2. One who speaks less and gets lots of things done
3. One who speaks less and gets little things done
4. One who speaks a lot and gets little things done
5. One who speaks a lot and gets nothing done
6. One who speaks less and gets nothing done

*Love and Hope for better tomorrow*

~Si3wLiNg~

20111009

Back On The Track

Before I realize it, the holidays are going to end soon…

After days of less-productive off days (eat, sleep and napping, watch drama, read, daydreaming, play online games, surfing the internet aimlessly), it’s time to get back on track towards my dreams…

It just needs zero effort to fall into the comfort (lazy bug) zone, where nothing else matters except lazing around. When this is done once in a blue moon over few days time, it helps to clear our mind of bullet train thoughts, allowing more room for clearer visions and change. However, when it is done often over a week time, it might leave us feeling unproductive and guilty of wasting our precious time. What’s done already been done, thus spend the time to move forward instead.

You may ask:

How to veer back on the track of my journey to achieving dreams as it takes million times more effort than falling into the comfort zone?

These are what I did a moment ago:

1. Review your life goals/dreams

• If you have written down your life goals/dreams, go through it again and again till they are seared into your mind. If you haven’t written your life goals/dreams, it’s time to ponder on these as these will be your driver of your life purpose.

• Put up your goals/dreams in a place that is within your sight at most times (it will be even better if you’re able to view it at all times). It doesn’t matter those goals/dreams are in written, graphic or digital form. (I won’t go for digital form as it will be slightly troublesome to get a sight of it).

• Source for affirmations that can kick start your mind to do something for your goals/dreams. Replace those affirmations with the subject/element related to your goals/dreams and first-person point-of-view.

2. Read motivational quotes/articles/stories that can trigger the fire in you

• Motivational materials will surely trigger the burning passion in you if you read it often or every day. It is one of the ways to keep you feeling alive and on track, giving little room for self-doubt.

• Keep those quotes close to you and within reach at all times, especially when you realize you’re starting to fall into the comfort trap.

• Look for support group in which the members support and remind each other on their goals/dreams and spark inspiration.

3. Focus on the present

• Visualization and daydreaming (the good use) can be both beneficial and harmful. When you visualize too much on the outcome, you may lost touch with the moment, the enjoyment of the process. Thus, limit it and focus on the present instead, on what you need to do to achieve your goals/dreams. With this, the course will take care of itself.

• Break down the goals/dreams into smaller ones and focus on one for a month or so until it has been deeply imprinted into your subconsciousness.

• When something cross your mind, just do it (if your situation allows the work to be done immediately). This will cross out the moment of the deadly procrastination.

In order to achieve goals/dreams, self-discipline and determination are crucial. Many of the motivational books/materials I’ve read advised us to “surround yourself with positive/inspirational/motivational people” as we can be easily influenced by the environment we are in.

*Love and Hope for better tomorrow*
~Si3wLiNg~
20110829

It’s just a fine line between the right and the wrong 是对是错是一线之间

When your life and death do not belong to you…

When your sacrifice can save the majority…

When you do not have the choice to choose your destiny…

When you have to betray your conscience due to your duty…

When you’re betrayed by the person you love due to different stand…

When you have to protect yourself for survival…

These are the subjects being discussed in Hong Kong TVB series - Relic of an Emissary (洪武三十二)…

In the story, turmoil had struck Ming dynasty of China after the death of its first emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang (朱元璋), who reigned under the title Hongwu Emperor (洪武帝). When the kind-hearted Zhu Yunwen (朱允炆) ascended the throne as Jianwen Emperor (建文帝), he suppressed the military power of his royal uncles who posed threat to his monarchy, throne and the people. His fourth royal uncle, Prince of Yan (燕王), saw this as a threat too and took action to save himself, family and loyal followers. Being caught in between was the princess (Prince of Yan’s beloved younger sister and Jianwen Emperor’s beloved royal aunty), the lieutenant of Brocade Guards (锦衣卫) (a trusted bodyguard of the Emperor, a mole working for the prince and whom the princess loves) and the right-hand assistant of the prince (a good friend of the princess and the lieutenant).

How did they resolve their dilemma?

Which side did they stand in the end?

Who would you side with if you were in the situation?

At times, we might feel that what we understand contradicts with the reality, or even with our own action. At one hand, we might betray the trust of the person who holds high regard on us (and also benefactor in the story) and whom we owe our faith to, but on the other hand, we might betray the trust of our beloved ones or even our own conscience due to our high regard towards responsibilities, just like what is depicted in the story.

It is an inner struggle to differentiate the white from the black, caught in a dilemma between loyalty and guilt. However, if there is truly pure white and pure black, then why do we need to make sacrifice(s), choosing only one option at times? Where shall we draw a line? What is considered as the righteous act when no matter what the decision is, one may hurt the other?

In the story, the princess gave up her wealthy status to live with her true love and to avoid being caught in the chaos between two of the person she cared for – her fourth royal brother and her royal nephew. The lieutenant gave up his servitude towards the emperor and the prince to regain his own conscience and freedom, and to live with his true love. Living as a commoner, away from the power struggle, in a peaceful environment where humanity is regained…

The saying goes:

“是对是错是一线之间”

It’s just a fine line between the right and the wrong

*Love and Hope for better tomorrow*
~Si3wLiNg~
20110826

The Other Truth: Shifting Perspective

How often do you know the whole truth of a situation, seeing the whole picture in your own mind?

How often do you exclaim “Why he’s so ‘stupid’ and can’t see the whole truth?” when you watch movie or soap opera or the like?

Since schooling time, we always hear people say “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. Perhaps with little life experience during that time, we might not get the whole point. When we started to step into the real society and growing with it, we will begin to understand the significance behind this phrase. A humble-looking person may turn out to be the traitor… An evil-looking person may turn out to be the kind-hearted one…When there is no absolute right and absolute wrong…

Just like what the Hong Kong TVB series “The Other Truth” (真相), featuring Tavia Yeung (楊怡), Wong Ho Yin (黃浩然), Chan Chin Pang (陳展鵬) and Yuen Shiu Cheung (阮兆祥), is depicting.

The reality is, we are not given the observer position in real life compared with on screen where the whole story unfolds before our eyes. We, human being, are confined within our own perspective and perception. We are no God, as even the most observant one could not possibly know everything, including what’s really on the mind of others.

We need to really look into all the ‘evidences’ available before starting to make judgement. But even with the evidences, will we overlook some important points that will change black to white or vice-versa? As we human have the ability to cover-up our emotions and true self, one may overlook the mind of others. We won’t know what’s going on in others’ mind unless he or she is willing to open up.

Be the RIGHT one or Be the Winner

Coach Jaq asked me last week whether I want to be the right one or the winner. Without hesitation, I answered “The winner”. A winner is the one who is always on the go in finding the best solution(s) to any issue that arises.

How often do you think that you are the right one and the other person is the wrong one? It is human natural characteristic due to our limited perspective.

Sometimes, we can be right one and the wrong one at the same time. Why is this so? Recently, I’ve heard a story from both sides of the people involved. Both are holding prejudice towards each other. From my perspective based on available evidences, both may be right and wrong at the same time.

Imagine this situation: “A” gets angry with “B” because “A” is not satisfied with the work quality produced by “B”. “B” feels angry too because she feels that “A” is holding grudges on her. This is considered a common issue, even between classmates at school (for group project).

So, how does this problem can be resolved through the Winner?

1. Can both of them sit down together and find out the best solution to the problem, compromising each other? The answer can be “yes” and “no” because it is difficult to change others unless the other one is willing to accept the criticism and feedback (from someone more experienced and senior) and really learn from the mistakes by taking the necessary actions. Instead of compromising for win-win situation, it may end up as an argument, even a heated one in serious cases.

2. Can we change our perspective and mindset to embrace the whole situation? Yes, definitely. By seeing through our own self, be honest and have a moment of self-reflection now and then, we will be able to think clearer, feel better, and take better action. The situation will eventually dissolve naturally when it strikes a chord.

This is definitely not an easy task to handle because we are too confined within our little world which has been defined since the day we were born, influenced by our upbringing, education and social life. It is always good to find a mentor or someone who can really give practical advice when you need it most.

Be your own winner of your own life.

*Love and Hope for better tomorrow*
~Si3wLiNg~
20110814

The Legacy

In May 2011, I’d attended Malaysia’ National Achievers 2011 Congress, which featured:

1. Lou Ferrigno: The Pursuit of Excellence - How to Overcome Adversities in Life
2. Ron Kaufman: Gain Competitive Business Edge Through “Uplifting Service!”
3. Richard Duncan: Understand The Economy and Make Smart Financial Decisions
4. Ron White: #1 Memory Expert in USA
   
5. Kevin Green: UK’s Largest and Most Successful Residential Property Landlords
6. Marcus de Maria: Invest in 2011 with Passion…and Profit
7. Ewen Chia: How I Made First Million on the Internet and How You Can Too!
8. Tom Gentile: Earning Rental Income on Your Stocks
9. Kerwin Rae: How to Make A Million Dollars with Joint Ventures
10. Tony Martinez: Creating Wealth Through Tax Lien
11. Andy Harrington: How to Influence and Persuade from Stage and Screen
12. Adam Ginsberg: Secrets to Making Money Online with eBay, Google and Twitter

These prolific individuals and role models have one thing in common – they have been through the bottom of life and stood up to create their own legacy.

The memory of the event was still very strong on my mind especially the first speaker of the congress, Adam Ginsberg, who had touched the crowd of participants by giving out for free a copy of his limited 1^st edition book – The Legacy Effect. He had indeed created the legacy effect.

Have you ever felt that you are good at nothing? That you have low motivation and self-esteem? Before I started out this blog, I’d been through these fears. Will I be able to meet the expected expectation of the majority? Will I be able to stand out from the rest? And the list goes on and on and in the end, I felt that why not I just cherish what I have now and stop thinking about change? However, I wasn’t happy with myself and everyone. I felt stuck and trapped in my own perception, thinking and insecurity. When I think of “what’s the first thing that others will think of about me”, I really can’t answer this question. That’s when I’ve decided my own legacy – to inspire the world through writing and photography. Thinking back, this is what I really want to do subconsciously, just that there’s no affirmation to it till I’m able to see everything more clearly and someone telling me that this is what I really want. Although I’ve wasted much resource on negative feelings, it is these emotions that bring me to where I am today, making me to understand life better.

“We all come to a moment when we ask ourselves ‘What will others remember of me? What, if anything, will remain?’ This is a Legacy.”
– Adam Ginsberg

“You can’t do anything about the length of your life, but you can do something about its width and depth.”
– Evan Esar

“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”
- Pericles

This is not the conventional how/what to do list book. The messages are strongly encrypted into the storyline – each word is so powerful that it empowers those who read it.

Here are some of the empowering messages from Ethan Greenberg, a character in the story:

• Success is overcoming the mistaken belief that one challenge differs from another.
• It’s not ‘if’, but when you fall. Those who get up can achieve anything.
• Live every day ‘as if’ what you do matters – because it does.
• The Definition of NO: You haven’t tried enough times.
• Boundary: An imaginary line between what is fundamentally right and wrong. Never cross the line. It’s there, even if you don’t see it.
• There are only two things that separate the Grateful from the Ungrateful: The first one is ‘U’.
• You get 100% of everything you don’t ask for.
• If you say ‘no’ now, you may never get another change to say ‘yes’.
• Legacy: Life is a continuous chain and you will be a new strong link in the same chain.

When responsibilities and commitments come into sight, it is not easy to do what we really want to do and live the life we really want. Do you ever feel that you are forcing yourself to do something because you need to? I’ve experienced this numerous times and each time, I tried to struggle and get out of that negative feeling. Most of the times, I failed. And I ended up unhappy and depressed. The feeling of freedom being taken away from me…And I always trying to find the solutions…

Few weeks ago, I read something that just suddenly triggered and enlightened me.

“You no longer try to ‘find’ that extra 15 minutes, perhaps by doing your errands in a different order, and squeeze the life you want into that space. Instead, you start by filling your 168 hours with the things that matter to you and those you care about – those high-impact activities that nurture your career, nurture your family, and nurture yourself – and spend as few of your 168 hours as possible on anything else.”

Focus is the ultimate keyword. What do you really want in life? What’s your legacy? Focus on this and you shall find excitement in life!

I feel myself so free from negative emotions when I started to focus on my legacy and ignore those unimportant things that come and go. Sometimes, it’s good to say “It’s none of my business” unless the matter will affect your resources – time, energy, health, wealth.

Like the saying “You’re able to remain the person here, but you aren’t able to remain the person’s soul and heart” if the person does not have the passion.

I MATTER!

*Love and Hope for better tomorrow*
~Si3wLiNg~
20110807