Goodbye, Hello and a boundless world

This morning I came across a wonderful quote by Bruce Lee:

“Defeat is a state of mind; no one is ever defeated until defeat has been accepted as a reality.” 

At that moment, something just clicked in my mind. I realized that this is so true! Lately I've been very hard on myself with everything, trying to end 2010 with an extreme bang and getting myself prepared for the greatness that awaits in 2011. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. Excited because I know there's a lot that will happen in 2011 but nervous because I am hoping I can achieve all those things I've set myself up to get to. But upon reading that quote, the nerves calmed and I realized there is no defeat as long as I don't accept it as defeat. And when I look back at this whole year, I realize the times I've felt annoyed because things didn't go as I planned or I get interrupted by small things and my big things end up suffering have been nothing but self-made defeats. If anything, the phrase I used to love mind like water should have kept me calm realizing that every bump along the way doesn't stop my journey, it just side-tracks it but as long as I keep going, I'm doing exactly what I aimed to do -- go towards my targets.

I've been recently doing a little extra reading on great leaders that were great not because they were wise-businessmen but because they were wise people-persons. The first person that comes to mind is Abraham Lincoln. That man, till today inspires me to never forget that everyone around me is as human as myself, no matter what status or skills or wealth or anything I have achieved. He also taught me to reverse that thinking where a person who I consider to be some sort of God is really just as human as myself. I used to consider drummers like Thomas Lang and Marco Minnemann Gods on drum kits. I still admire them as musicians but not to the point I see them as something I could never get to. I've been re-discovering myself as a drummer and going back to my roots. It definitely sucks when I have to go back and look at everything as if I were a beginner and even throw away old techniques in replacement for new, better ones. But it's one of those take 1 step back to go 2 steps forward deals.
I've also been reading the classic How to win friends and influence people. I've read it before but wanted to re-read it and so many things shine extra true now. Especially with my web design work. This year, some of my clients were so kind as to invite me to Christmas lunches with their staff and it really made me happy. Not happy because I get to enjoy a lunch on my client, but the happiness that my relationship with many clients is on the level of friends in business. At the same time, I have great relationships with clients where they actually appreciate my feedback and comments. I guess at some point I thought this was normal but when I talk to many other people who are working in similar fields as me, many of them just complain about how they can't be bothered to give suggestions because people usually aren't interested. Perhaps it's also the way they give suggestions. I guess for me, I usually get very excited about the projects I take on (I don't take on everything for a reason) and maybe that excitement rubs off on to my clients which gets them excited and on board for the fun journey to a website's creation.

And on that note, may I announce the unveiling of my own personal comedy website: www.funnyvivek.com (beta)! Yes that's right! The one thing that has always suffered from being pushed aside on my to do list is my own comedy website. Equipped with show schedules and videos (there are some new videos most people haven't seen before :P) But why beta you ask? Well there are still a few things I would love to modify. For example, notice how there is pretty much no Chinese on the site? Yep, that's an issue but I didn't want to get overwhelmed with this project but wanted to make sure it's up and running on 31 Dec 2010 just in time for the new year! So please feel free to enjoy the site and let me know if you have any comments (or even discover any bugs).

Mind like water. I heard that phrase while I was still a GTD newbie. It explained the concept of how the goal of martial arts is not to avoid getting attacked but to learn how to bounce back after being attacked. The same with life and Bruce Lee's quote. It's a matter of learning to deal with life's surprises more than leading a stable life.

The funny thing is, 3 years ago, my mindset was all about intensity, I wanted to go out, hike in the cold and do something wild to shock sense into me. Today I'd rather sit in peace, and find that sense from within. Not through shock but through calmness. I suppose it's like saying you could use sand paper or water to erode a hard piece of rock.

So it's time to say goodbye to 2010, the year that brought me so many things, to list a few:

• I did my first of many Mixed Martial Arts Announcer gig for Legend Fighting Championship
• Did my first English one-man show at TakeOut Comedy
• Watched Lamb of God LIVE, in the front row!
• Learnt about the power of lighting and color to affect your moods
• Started taking drum lessons from the great Don Ashley
• Performed at MaD and TEDx
• Taught my first of many Stand Up Comedy workshops to youngsters, hopefully inspiring the next Funniest Person in Hong Kong
• Moved on to the Android Mobile Phone - My lovely Samsung Galaxy S

And hello to 2011 where many things are already lined up already.

I'd like to say thank you to everyone who has contributed to my year, whether it be leaving comments on my blog, coming to a comedy show, checking out my band's gigs, emailing me just to talk about life, suggesting books to read and songs to enjoy, or any way you have influenced my year. I really do appreciate it.
And for those who haven't crossed paths with me, our days are numbered because as I said before, one of my many goals is to make the whole world laugh and no one's getting away from the giggles this time! :)

Happy New Year and let me leave you with this quote from Bruce Lee again:

"If you love life, don't waste time, for time is what life is made up of."

Thank you, sir.