It's great to be back. Writing, that is. After a brief hiatus, I have returned to my writing with a new passion for ideas and action. Here is my list of a few actions to be taken in the New Year.
1. To be a kindler and gentler person on the environment. My good friend, Erica is always a big fan of the environment and pointed out to me the benefits of going organic, even with things as basic as shampoo. I've come to agree with her and although products that are organic, are often a little more expensive than other things, in the long run, the earth and the user will all benefit from its uses. Consider the benefits: no harsh chemicals, no testing on animals, prevention of dangerous illnesses and diseases, which many articles say, can be received by using regular shampoos.
2. Having more empathy towards others. Empathy, I believe, is one of the distinguishing things that we can have as human beings. It is often easier to react with anger towards another person, without thinking about the consequences, or realizing why this person has acted the way they have. I believe that the goal of the individual in society is to have empathy and to react with concern towards another person. The regular person is society can show empathy in every day life by not reacting with anger towards another person, whether in dealing with a driver who cut you off or a surly or rude waitress. It is easy to judge, but hard to understand what is underneath a person's skin.
3. Taking time to meditate. In our age where technology rules our world with a passion, it is often hard to tear ourselves away from things, such as the television or the Internet. We don't always take the time to breathe the air, to meditate on our good forturne, or to communicate with others. In our madness to buy the latest gadget, we don't always realize that the most important thing we have is something we cannot buy: time. The time we spend with our family is precious and yet how many of us only get to see our families once a year, or even several times a year. Precious is the time we have, and it seems that we are blinded by all the trappings that technology has given us.
4. To work less, and to spend time doing things that are meaningful. Whether it be volunteering for a cause, or finding an activity that is creative and personally satisfying, I believe that every one should have passion in one's life. To me, film-making and writing are personal passions of mine, and I feel life is more satisfying when you are doing something that is creative, and not wholly centered on work. I am always amazed when I see paintings in a local gallery done by our senior members of society. It is unfortunately too bad that it is only when we retire it seems that some of us find the time to do expressive, fulfilling things. But I believe that making time to do creative things may involve as simple a task as turning off your Internet or television for an hour or so.
5. Focus on health. How many of us eat too much fat and too much of everything? I believe that the best way to be aware of the dangers of overeating is to be mindful that it is occurring.
To conclude, I wish everyone a great New YEAR, and a year that is safe, happy, healthy and environmentally friendly.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Energy At Any Age
Yesterday, I passed a gymnasium filled with crazy happy Dodgeball players. This was a game I played in my youth where the object is to avoid being hit by a ball from a player. The players were mostly young people, mainly seemed to be hit by the ball, and the game ended fairly quickly. I thought to myself how good I would be at this game, since the object is to dodge the ball, rather than stand their like a sleeping duck in a pond.
As I looked closely at the players, I noticed that the age group was mostly twenty-something. It appeared that those older than the players were either sitting at home watching television, doing those tired and expensive yoga poses, or just plain being sedentary.
It's wrong to be so plain sedentary. Exercise is something special and should be cherished at any age.
But why are so many things so beholden upon youth?
I believe that times are "a changing" and a new movement will take place where doors will be open to older people, who should be able to do anything at any age.
Bryan Adams sang a song about "Being 18 Til I Die" which is a good song becauses it basically emphasizes that trying something new is for everyone and the joy of doing things, the boundless enthusiasm, whether it be for learning, travel, new hobbies, should be extended towards all, regardless of one's age.
As I looked closely at the players, I noticed that the age group was mostly twenty-something. It appeared that those older than the players were either sitting at home watching television, doing those tired and expensive yoga poses, or just plain being sedentary.
It's wrong to be so plain sedentary. Exercise is something special and should be cherished at any age.
But why are so many things so beholden upon youth?
I believe that times are "a changing" and a new movement will take place where doors will be open to older people, who should be able to do anything at any age.
Bryan Adams sang a song about "Being 18 Til I Die" which is a good song becauses it basically emphasizes that trying something new is for everyone and the joy of doing things, the boundless enthusiasm, whether it be for learning, travel, new hobbies, should be extended towards all, regardless of one's age.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Catching Cannes
As a newbie film-maker, the Cannes film festival ranks high on my list. To get to Cannes will take hard work, engenuity and plain toughness. And why not Cannes?
I have submitted to a variety of film festivals, mostly on the local basis. But after reading an article from a film festival organizer who discusses the merits of submitting to the better festivals, it just makes sense. He pointed out that the smaller festivals just don't have the resume punch that the bigger festivals have.
And funding is after all where it's at. Film-makers need money to make films and hire actors that can say their lines without looking at the script. Film-makers --I like to use this word better than producers -- need money to pay for venues, buy equipment, and make more films.
The worst part of being an Indie is that the actors must work virtually for free and that is tough. Some actors really do relish their craft and it is tough for an Indie to pay them almost nothing.
For myself, working a day job when I really want to be some where else is also tough. Gettiing accepted to Cannes could in fact open a whole lot of doors, in terms of being in the big leagues.
I do have ambition, but ambition is not the only thing that can change things.
It is talent, money, and maybe knowledge of the French language. Now why is my inquiry to the Cannes Film festival answered with a reply in French. Ah, the wonders of the internet and the French-English translation sites.
I have submitted to a variety of film festivals, mostly on the local basis. But after reading an article from a film festival organizer who discusses the merits of submitting to the better festivals, it just makes sense. He pointed out that the smaller festivals just don't have the resume punch that the bigger festivals have.
And funding is after all where it's at. Film-makers need money to make films and hire actors that can say their lines without looking at the script. Film-makers --I like to use this word better than producers -- need money to pay for venues, buy equipment, and make more films.
The worst part of being an Indie is that the actors must work virtually for free and that is tough. Some actors really do relish their craft and it is tough for an Indie to pay them almost nothing.
For myself, working a day job when I really want to be some where else is also tough. Gettiing accepted to Cannes could in fact open a whole lot of doors, in terms of being in the big leagues.
I do have ambition, but ambition is not the only thing that can change things.
It is talent, money, and maybe knowledge of the French language. Now why is my inquiry to the Cannes Film festival answered with a reply in French. Ah, the wonders of the internet and the French-English translation sites.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Strangers Seeking Company in the Night
I couldn't sleep the other night and I stepped out for a late-night walk. It was slightly past 10 pm on a week day night and the Vancouver streets near commercial drive are surprisingly busy with young couples walking, and the hungry seeking out pizza at a discount eatery.
As I walk down commercial drive, I clutch my handbag tightly against me, my mind hearing past stories of purse snatchers and victims of violence. I decide to put my handbag over my shoulder and under my heavy jacket, even though the handbag is big and bulging.
Just a week ago, I was in Merida, which is in the capital city of the state of Yucatan, Mexico. As I watched a Mariachi band and other singers on a stage on a Saturday night, I marvelled at the folksy, warm and cosy family atmosphere at this free music festival. Everyone was relaxed and no one seemed tense and suspicious of other strangers. Here in Merida, far away from my hometown in Vancouver, I felt safe, happy and relaxed.
Switch to my current situation. I walked down commercial drive looking carefully at the people passing by, and even though it was warm at night, I made sure I was walking down a brightly lit street, and purposely chose not to walk down the side streets, which would make the walk more quieter.
I make my way towards a bustling coffee shop where I order a warm milk served by a young woman with thick, fake eyelashes. There are a few couples huddled together on seats talking to each other quietly, intently. I wonder why so many people are out so late at night. Then I remember an early Earnest Hemingway short story called, A Clean Well Lighted Place. It is a short story I recall from high school days and one that I cannot forget. I muse that it may be a story of loneliness, of a need for people to be among others, to socialize or possibly forget their problems for a few hours.
A coffee shop is an escape, a home away from home. Here, there is no one to yell at you, to tell you that the rent is due, to call you about an unpaid bill. TV is not around, especially to remind a person of the Gulf crisis, of the sorry state of affairs between the two Koreas.
A young kid who should be in bed by now is playing outside. Other young people are pretending to fight each other. The kid smiles and comes in to take a candy from a woman in the coffee shop who offers him the candy. She likes him.
Here in Vancouver as in Merida, we are the same: all seeking good company in the middle of the night.
As I walk down commercial drive, I clutch my handbag tightly against me, my mind hearing past stories of purse snatchers and victims of violence. I decide to put my handbag over my shoulder and under my heavy jacket, even though the handbag is big and bulging.
Just a week ago, I was in Merida, which is in the capital city of the state of Yucatan, Mexico. As I watched a Mariachi band and other singers on a stage on a Saturday night, I marvelled at the folksy, warm and cosy family atmosphere at this free music festival. Everyone was relaxed and no one seemed tense and suspicious of other strangers. Here in Merida, far away from my hometown in Vancouver, I felt safe, happy and relaxed.
Switch to my current situation. I walked down commercial drive looking carefully at the people passing by, and even though it was warm at night, I made sure I was walking down a brightly lit street, and purposely chose not to walk down the side streets, which would make the walk more quieter.
I make my way towards a bustling coffee shop where I order a warm milk served by a young woman with thick, fake eyelashes. There are a few couples huddled together on seats talking to each other quietly, intently. I wonder why so many people are out so late at night. Then I remember an early Earnest Hemingway short story called, A Clean Well Lighted Place. It is a short story I recall from high school days and one that I cannot forget. I muse that it may be a story of loneliness, of a need for people to be among others, to socialize or possibly forget their problems for a few hours.
A coffee shop is an escape, a home away from home. Here, there is no one to yell at you, to tell you that the rent is due, to call you about an unpaid bill. TV is not around, especially to remind a person of the Gulf crisis, of the sorry state of affairs between the two Koreas.
A young kid who should be in bed by now is playing outside. Other young people are pretending to fight each other. The kid smiles and comes in to take a candy from a woman in the coffee shop who offers him the candy. She likes him.
Here in Vancouver as in Merida, we are the same: all seeking good company in the middle of the night.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Clearing Out the Old and Decluttering the Mind
I opened and closed my storage locker for the very last time. It was a decision that saved me close to$70 per month and I imagine that this step made me rethink the reasons why we keep old possessions.
In fact, it didn't make much sense for me to keep a few boxes in a storage locker. There were very few items there and it seemed rather ridiculous to keep a few clothes and household items in a locker that may never see the light of day.
As a society, we tend to keep too many things --things which have no emotion and yet possessions seem to make us happy and somehow superior. The more we have, the more we tend to feel better about ourselves. I looked around at the storage facility and wondered why so many people keep things that they no longer need, or have no room to fill in their own homes. It seemed rather wasteful and also expensive.
After four months of keeping a few boxes in the storage locker, I decided to bale out. It was a good decision because I realized that whatever was in the boxes, needed to see the light of day. It was to be used now, not in the near future. A few things, like electronics, such as old phones. I left outside for binners to pick up and resell. Other things I decided to keep in the back trunk of my vehicle for the time being while I pondered which items I would keep and which ones I would send to charity.
I looked at Simba, the cat, and realized that he always seemed happy and this animal did not own a single piece of property. He was content just being the way he is. We can learn a lot from animals.
Simplicity is a good thing and I challenge other people to do the same thing and clean-up and declutter your mind.
In fact, it didn't make much sense for me to keep a few boxes in a storage locker. There were very few items there and it seemed rather ridiculous to keep a few clothes and household items in a locker that may never see the light of day.
As a society, we tend to keep too many things --things which have no emotion and yet possessions seem to make us happy and somehow superior. The more we have, the more we tend to feel better about ourselves. I looked around at the storage facility and wondered why so many people keep things that they no longer need, or have no room to fill in their own homes. It seemed rather wasteful and also expensive.
After four months of keeping a few boxes in the storage locker, I decided to bale out. It was a good decision because I realized that whatever was in the boxes, needed to see the light of day. It was to be used now, not in the near future. A few things, like electronics, such as old phones. I left outside for binners to pick up and resell. Other things I decided to keep in the back trunk of my vehicle for the time being while I pondered which items I would keep and which ones I would send to charity.
I looked at Simba, the cat, and realized that he always seemed happy and this animal did not own a single piece of property. He was content just being the way he is. We can learn a lot from animals.
Simplicity is a good thing and I challenge other people to do the same thing and clean-up and declutter your mind.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Living the 4 -hour Work Week
It's been almost a year since I've read Timothy Ferriss' inspirational book,The 4-Hour Workweek. I'm a big fan of motivational books and this slightly over 300 page book reads fast and packs a whallop of good ideas.
But you'd think after one year, I would be living the dream life, working only four hours. Truth be told, living this kind of life-style does take some work and a mind that is both entrepreneurial and passionate about working for yourself.
A person should read this book with an eye towards self-improvement, even if some of the ideas in there seems a bit offbeat and strange, like lying down in the middle of a public area to demonstrate the idea of thinking outside the box. At times, too, his book seems a bit autobiographical, since he details his beginnings and the steps he took to become successful.
There are plenty of good tips in there for people who want to modify and simplify their life. Tips on speed reading will surely help students and professionals skim through huge reports and books.
I did enjoy his tips on websites that focus on searching for products to sell. His research on outsourcing agencies will definitely help companies gain more efficiency and save money. His plea to limit our intake of media is good information since we seem always to have time for television, newspapers and other forms of media and never enough time to spend with things that are important, such as family, etc.
Clearly, Ferriss makes a strong case that if you want to make money, you have to have a good product to sell. A person can easily read this book in one day, but I strongly recommend that you have a note pad handy to write down some useful websites and his encouraging tips. I can feel his energy already.
But you'd think after one year, I would be living the dream life, working only four hours. Truth be told, living this kind of life-style does take some work and a mind that is both entrepreneurial and passionate about working for yourself.
A person should read this book with an eye towards self-improvement, even if some of the ideas in there seems a bit offbeat and strange, like lying down in the middle of a public area to demonstrate the idea of thinking outside the box. At times, too, his book seems a bit autobiographical, since he details his beginnings and the steps he took to become successful.
There are plenty of good tips in there for people who want to modify and simplify their life. Tips on speed reading will surely help students and professionals skim through huge reports and books.
I did enjoy his tips on websites that focus on searching for products to sell. His research on outsourcing agencies will definitely help companies gain more efficiency and save money. His plea to limit our intake of media is good information since we seem always to have time for television, newspapers and other forms of media and never enough time to spend with things that are important, such as family, etc.
Clearly, Ferriss makes a strong case that if you want to make money, you have to have a good product to sell. A person can easily read this book in one day, but I strongly recommend that you have a note pad handy to write down some useful websites and his encouraging tips. I can feel his energy already.
Making Sense of Dolphin Entertainment
Now that the summer holidays are on the horizon, people planning vacations should be careful about where they spend their vacations. If you're a person who loves animals and respects wildlife, it makes sense that a person should also be mindful of animals in captivity and stay away from places like Seaworld and Dolphin parks.
After watching The Cove, a movie about a group of activists/adventurers who set out to tell the world about the sad and secret treatment of dolphins at a cove in Taiji, Japan, I felt an urge to do my part by writing a piece about these beautiful creatures.
It is clearly wrong to imprison these intelligent marine mammals in a million dollar entertainment outfit designed to line the pockets of people who care little for animal welfare. Those who front outfits like Seaworld and other parks that showcase dolphins state that it is for the educational value of children and adults. Yet, the real value of showing the dolphins to the public is that dolphins make people money.
The filmmakers do a good job about showing how select dolphins are sold to entertainment parks for as much as $150,000 each; others who don't pass the mark are butchered and sold as meat. Some scenes in the movie are heart-renching, especially when the sounds of dolphins being butchered are heard, followed by an eerie sound of silence.
And yet the dolphins in the parks are not living a life of bliss. Despite their appearance, these dolphins must be forced to work for food, and life in a small, artificial pen that in no way duplicates their life in the real world. Dolphins are also separated from their families when they are cruelly wrenched from the sea for transport to a life of being in a sea circus.
It's time people around the world stop this terrible treatment of dolphins. One of the easiest steps is to boycott all Sea parks that operate dolphin entertainment and charge people a fee to "swim with dolphins."
Although we do not have the time or money to go to Japan to help stop the senseless killing and selling of these dolphins, we can do a large part by not going to these events. Eventually, one hopes, these heartless outfits will lose money, close their complexes, and return these dolphins to the sea from which they belong.
For people who have yet to watch The Cove, it is highly recommended and so is the website, http://www.thecove.com/ which also provides information on how the average person can get involved in this crusade to stop the killing and selling of dolphins in Japan.
But on a global picture, we can also monitor our travel excursions and when travelling in a new place that offers dolphin entertainment, decline loudly.
Dolphins have had a long and interesting relationship with humans. They have been known to save swimmers from sharks and also have been known to encourage in co-operative human-dolphin fishing expeditions, dating from the pre-Roman era, thanks to accounts from the likes of the Pliny, the Elder.
Let's help stop the abuse, now!
After watching The Cove, a movie about a group of activists/adventurers who set out to tell the world about the sad and secret treatment of dolphins at a cove in Taiji, Japan, I felt an urge to do my part by writing a piece about these beautiful creatures.
It is clearly wrong to imprison these intelligent marine mammals in a million dollar entertainment outfit designed to line the pockets of people who care little for animal welfare. Those who front outfits like Seaworld and other parks that showcase dolphins state that it is for the educational value of children and adults. Yet, the real value of showing the dolphins to the public is that dolphins make people money.
The filmmakers do a good job about showing how select dolphins are sold to entertainment parks for as much as $150,000 each; others who don't pass the mark are butchered and sold as meat. Some scenes in the movie are heart-renching, especially when the sounds of dolphins being butchered are heard, followed by an eerie sound of silence.
And yet the dolphins in the parks are not living a life of bliss. Despite their appearance, these dolphins must be forced to work for food, and life in a small, artificial pen that in no way duplicates their life in the real world. Dolphins are also separated from their families when they are cruelly wrenched from the sea for transport to a life of being in a sea circus.
It's time people around the world stop this terrible treatment of dolphins. One of the easiest steps is to boycott all Sea parks that operate dolphin entertainment and charge people a fee to "swim with dolphins."
Although we do not have the time or money to go to Japan to help stop the senseless killing and selling of these dolphins, we can do a large part by not going to these events. Eventually, one hopes, these heartless outfits will lose money, close their complexes, and return these dolphins to the sea from which they belong.
For people who have yet to watch The Cove, it is highly recommended and so is the website, http://www.thecove.com/ which also provides information on how the average person can get involved in this crusade to stop the killing and selling of dolphins in Japan.
But on a global picture, we can also monitor our travel excursions and when travelling in a new place that offers dolphin entertainment, decline loudly.
Dolphins have had a long and interesting relationship with humans. They have been known to save swimmers from sharks and also have been known to encourage in co-operative human-dolphin fishing expeditions, dating from the pre-Roman era, thanks to accounts from the likes of the Pliny, the Elder.
Let's help stop the abuse, now!
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