What An Amazing Year 2013! A New Year Ahead And A Better Me

Around this time of the year, many of us are looking forward to the year ahead, thinking of the resolutions we'll make or wondering how we can make the next year our best year yet. While I'm all for preping for the future (so long as it doesn't steal too much from the present), i do think it's worthwhile to stop and think about all of the things that have happened this year, to reflect on all you've accomplished over the past twelve months and give yourself a bit of a pat on the back for making it through this year. While i don't often advise looking backward (it really gets in the way of staying present), i've found it really helpful to remind myself of all the wonderful things that happened over the past year. Not only does it bring a smile to my face and remind me to be thankful for all i've been through, but it also gets me excited for the year ahead. If all of this happened in 2013, what could happen in 2014? On 1st January 2013, i would never have imagined this year would turn out the way it did. It's pretty amazing how much can change in just 12 little months, isn't it? 

Well, i have probably travelled too much this year. Travel is part of my life and perhaps essential to my outlook. I am Singaporean and live here, but i think we gain perspective from being both inside and out, from seeing our society in the context of Asia and the wider world. This perception in life somewhere always reminds me of last year's high points and to inspire myself to dream big in the year ahead.

Taking The Road Less Travelled

凡有因必有果, 有付出必有回报, 这是我深信不疑的. 然太在意回报, 有了功利心, 创作就没有单纯的生命与灵气了. 回顾 2013 年, 若问我真正学会了什么, 我想就是这看似简单的道理吧？

许多人问我为什么要坚持摄影，特别是在国外拍摄. 理由其实很简单, 就为了那一份很单纯的快乐与满足. 我也曾经想过以作摄影来赚钱糊口, 这在本地确实不实际. 逐渐的我也发觉, 一旦我太在意卖照片这一回事, 创作就不再纯粹了. 我不喜欢凡事过于计算, 这不风骨.

我的幸运, 就在于我有一份正业, 而我任职的公司也非常支持我摄影写作的理想. 谁都有他追求创作梦想的困难, 艺术家的拮据, 谁不曾有? 幻想自己是悲剧英雄的确非常浪漫, 但英雄的悲剧不是你我都能承担得起的. 与命运抗争奋斗直至最后一口气息, 你愿意吗? 如梵高, 直到逝世, 都在潦倒疯狂的悲剧中挣扎, 来不及见证自己的传奇, 甚至不知道自己将是个传奇. 一旦悲剧的光环结束了, 发现日子原来还是琐碎而日常的, 那时候你还要沉浸在刹那的英雄虚幻还能找回创作的初衷与初心吗?

我只是个平凡人, 需要工作维持生计, 但这不会影响我对喜好与理想的追求. 我在学习不怨天尤人, 我确实也曾经怨天尤人过. 但随着年龄的增加, 你会明白世上没有怀才不遇这回事, 这世界从来都没有拖欠你什么, 没有任何一个人有义务必须扶持你给你机会. 我现在能够靠正业来扶持自己的梦想, 已是难得的福报. 也正因为我慢慢不把梦想与金钱物质挂钩, 反而更能领会每一回付出所取得的另类回报, 也才能够不失初衷常保初心. 世上一切不过如此, 做人感恩一些, 奇迹必会出现.

在此祝大家在即将来临的新年里生活幸福快乐.