Fragments
Fragments
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Gratitude
When I tell my colleagues in hospital I’m actually building a career as an artist, I get questions about it.
And when I tell other artists that I’m actually a doctor during the day, I get questions about it.
When I was a teenager, all I wanted to do was blend in, and not get any questions about why I looked different.
But I don’t mind anymore.
It’s ok to be different.
I’ve just cleared out my wardrobe full of colourful shirts, worn-out jeans, and logo-laden tops.
And although I’ve had an incredible time wearing them, they are choices of a distinct phase of my life. It’s time to say good bye.
These pieces remind me of people who’ve come and gone in my life - many who I’ve had a great times with, learned from and made a difference to who I am today.
The truth is, people come and go from our lives no matter who we are, or what we do.
And as I fold these clothes for the last time, I realize it’s not about mourning an end, but expressing gratitude for the imprints they’ve left on me.
Recovery
There was a period of my life where I’d run out of steam half way through a sentence.
I’d start speaking and immediately falter because in that moment, I believed I had nothing much of value to say.
And of course this issue wasn’t about the value of my contributions, but a matter of low self-esteem.
And to rebuild this self-esteem, it’s taken a great deal of self examination, honesty and self love.
But when you come through the other side, nothing you talk about really changes.
But how you feel about yourself talking improves dramatically.
And that’s what recovery felt like for me.
There was a period of my life where I’d run out of steam half way through a sentence.
I’d start speaking and immediately falter because in that moment, I believed I had nothing much of value to say.
And of course this issue wasn’t about the value of my contributions, but a matter of low self-esteem.
And to rebuild this self-esteem, it’s taken a great deal of self examination, honesty and self love.
But when you come through the other side, nothing you talk about really changes.
But how you feel about yourself talking improves dramatically.
And that’s what recovery felt like for me.
Your story
A technique used by salespeople to handle objections is to disengage from facts, and tell a story.
A story about why you’re here, what you really want, and what the occasion means to you on a deeper level.
And it works because doing this gets to the heart of how we human really make sense of the world around us.
When we as artists want to make a compelling narrative about who we are, just telling facts rarely makes for a good story.
By demonstrating what’s at stake and why our creation matters, we tell a better story that our audience becomes a part of.
And good story is difficult to ignore.
A technique used by salespeople to handle objections is to disengage from facts, and tell a story.
A story about why you’re here, what you really want, and what the occasion means to you on a deeper level.
And it works because doing this gets to the heart of how we human really make sense of the world around us.
When we as artists want to make a compelling narrative about who we are, just telling facts rarely makes for a good story.
By demonstrating what’s at stake and why our creation matters, we tell a better story that our audience becomes a part of.
And good story is difficult to ignore.
Respect
Looking back, I grappled with a problem.
I wanted everyone to like me.
And what I’ve learned in thirty years is, not only is this impossible to achieve, but it also ironically makes you pretty hard to like.
An approach I now prefer is to simply carry myself the way the people I respect like.
At the end of the day, this is way more realistic than pleasing everyone.
And having switched to this mindset for many years now, I can confidently say I respect myself way more for it too.
Looking back, I grappled with a problem.
I wanted everyone to like me.
And what I’ve learned in thirty years is, not only is this impossible to achieve, but it also ironically makes you pretty hard to like.
An approach I now prefer is to simply carry myself the way the people I respect like.
At the end of the day, this is way more realistic than pleasing everyone.
And having switched to this mindset for many years now, I can confidently say I respect myself way more for it too.
Portal
Screens serve as emotional portals, transporting our feelings to distant places and faces.
And this isn’t always a bad thing. I’ve connected with people that matter to me through this portal.
But it’s also easy to escape into the portal to hide from our reality here.
The thing is, the real world is far more vivid. High fidelity can never beat the richness of actual reality.
And a day well spent for me is always in the now, the present, on this side of the screen.
Screens serve as emotional portals, transporting our feelings to distant places and faces.
And this isn’t always a bad thing. I’ve connected with people that matter to me through this portal.
But it’s also easy to escape into the portal to hide from our reality here.
The thing is, the real world is far more vivid. High fidelity can never beat the richness of actual reality.
And a day well spent for me is always in the now, the present, on this side of the screen.
Gratitude
I’ve just cleared out my wardrobe full of colourful shirts, worn-out jeans, and logo-laden tops.
And although I’ve had an incredible time wearing them, they are choices of a distinct phase of my life. It’s time to say good bye.
These pieces remind me of people who’ve come and gone in my life - many who I’ve had a great times with, learned from and made a difference to who I am today.
The truth is, people come and go from our lives no matter who we are, or what we do.
And as I fold these clothes for the last time, I realize it’s not about mourning an end, but expressing gratitude for the imprints they’ve left on me.
I’ve just cleared out my wardrobe full of colourful shirts, worn-out jeans, and logo-laden tops.
And although I’ve had an incredible time wearing them, they are choices of a distinct phase of my life. It’s time to say good bye.
These pieces remind me of people who’ve come and gone in my life - many who I’ve had a great times with, learned from and made a difference to who I am today.
The truth is, people come and go from our lives no matter who we are, or what we do.
And as I fold these clothes for the last time, I realize it’s not about mourning an end, but expressing gratitude for the imprints they’ve left on me.
Promise
I believe that mastery is the only concrete strategy one can adopt as a professional creative that must survive.
Because the competition is any artist with the initiative to upload their work online, which is simply staggering.
So for me, it pays to stop competing altogether and focus on a creative process that becomes better over time.
And here’s the thing. When it is clear that an artist is on a trajectory of mastery, it doesn’t matter whether they have already blown up or not.
They show more promise than artists who are simply banking on luck.
I believe that mastery is the only concrete strategy one can adopt as a professional creative that must survive.
Because the competition is any artist with the initiative to upload their work online, which is simply staggering.
So for me, it pays to stop competing altogether and focus on a creative process that becomes better over time.
And here’s the thing. When it is clear that an artist is on a trajectory of mastery, it doesn’t matter whether they have already blown up or not.
They show more promise than artists who are simply banking on luck.
Something
Sometimes you have nothing.
Nada.
And that’s okay.
Write anything.
Anything is a good reason to consider something.
And sometimes, something is enough to realise there is a point to be made.
Todays point is literally derived in this manner.
Inspiration follows action.
Not the other way round.
Sometimes you have nothing.
Nada.
And that’s okay.
Write anything.
Anything is a good reason to consider something.
And sometimes, something is enough to realise there is a point to be made.
Todays point is literally derived in this manner.
Inspiration follows action.
Not the other way round.
Process
Results matter, they do.
But lasting results follow a process of practice and refinement.
The first 10 hours of work will never be as skilled as the work after 10,000 hours.
But when our mind is results oriented, we fail to see the value of the first ten, hundred, or even thousand hours of practice.
Conversely, a process oriented mind is able to value the journey on this path of mastery.
As James clear elegantly puts it:
“..if you optimise for the outcome, you win once. Optimise for a process that leads to great outcomes, you win again and again”.
Results matter, they do.
But lasting results follow a process of practice and refinement.
The first 10 hours of work will never be as skilled as the work after 10,000 hours.
But when our mind is results oriented, we fail to see the value of the first ten, hundred, or even thousand hours of practice.
Conversely, a process oriented mind is able to value the journey on this path of mastery.
As James clear elegantly puts it:
“..if you optimise for the outcome, you win once. Optimise for a process that leads to great outcomes, you win again and again”.
Home
Home is the smell of our washing, the way our pillow feels, the family we live with.
Those things we just know, because we’ve soaked up its essence over time.
And home after travelling feels nice.
Composers and story tellers use this device all the time. We repeat ideas enough for it to become familiar and comforting..
Only to switch things up and take us on a journey, before returning to the main theme.
A compelling exposition is creating a home worth returning to.
And I wish a safe home to all my readers.
Home is the smell of our washing, the way our pillow feels, the family we live with.
Those things we just know, because we’ve soaked up its essence over time.
And home after travelling feels nice.
Composers and story tellers use this device all the time. We repeat ideas enough for it to become familiar and comforting..
Only to switch things up and take us on a journey, before returning to the main theme.
A compelling exposition is creating a home worth returning to.
And I wish a safe home to all my readers.
Judgement
Avoiding judgment is tough.
It’s easy to spot a flaw in others and jump conclusions that label them as bad people.
But when we readily judge others for their flaws, the moment we do anything less than perfect ourselves, it sets us up for vicious self judgement and loathing.
The truth is, no one is perfect all the time.
Going easy on others is going easy on yourself.
Avoiding judgment is tough.
It’s easy to spot a flaw in others and jump conclusions that label them as bad people.
But when we readily judge others for their flaws, the moment we do anything less than perfect ourselves, it sets us up for vicious self judgement and loathing.
The truth is, no one is perfect all the time.
Going easy on others is going easy on yourself.
Intention
Most creatives today are multi-disciplined.
We are thinkers, writers, composers, arrangers, engineers, editors, performers, presenters, designers and on and on.
But the artist is a specific role.
The artist primarily brings an intention to the table.
And without an intention, every sound, scene, smell, taste, touch is arbitrary.
If you have many creative skills but you haven’t hit your stride as an artist..
It’s possible you’ve learned a skill without having decided what to say through it yet.
Most creatives today are multi-disciplined.
We are thinkers, writers, composers, arrangers, engineers, editors, performers, presenters, designers and on and on.
But the artist is a specific role.
The artist primarily brings an intention to the table.
And without an intention, every sound, scene, smell, taste, touch is arbitrary.
If you have many creative skills but you haven’t hit your stride as an artist..
It’s possible you’ve learned a skill without having decided what to say through it yet.
Check in
Most creatives today are multi-disciplined.
We are thinkers, writers, composers, arrangers, engineers, editors, performers, presenters, designers and on and on.
But the artist is a specific role.
The artist primarily brings an intention to the table.
And without an intention, every sound, scene, smell, taste, touch is arbitrary.
If you have many creative skills but you haven’t hit your stride as an artist..
It’s possible you’ve learned a skill without having decided what to say through it yet.
The detrimental effects of social isolation, both spiritually and physically, are now indisputable.
Numerous systematic reviews have shown an alarming increase in morbidity and mortality from isolation, with one study comparing its life-shortening impact to that of smoking 15 cigarettes daily.
While it’s challenging to engage with others during our most vulnerable moments, these studies emphasize the crucial role human contact plays in our well-being and recovery.
If you ever find yourself overwhelmed by loneliness, always remember: you’re not alone.
Please check in on your loved ones.
News
I’m finally catching up on enlightening history books like ‘Sapiens’ and ‘Guns, Germs and Steel’.
When the timeline of events is expanded to 15,000 years +, perspective on what really matters shifts dramatically.
Contrast this with the constant churn of daily news, which is forced to magnify the transient and mundane, right now, always.
And when we stuff our cognitive bandwidth with incessant noise, it’s no surprise we have no time nor space for clear thinking.
A measure of news worth knowing is when we repeatedly hear it from others first.
Otherwise, it’s probably better if we just switched it off.
I’m finally catching up on enlightening history books like ‘Sapiens’ and ‘Guns, Germs and Steel’.
When the timeline of events is expanded to 15,000 years +, perspective on what really matters shifts dramatically.
Contrast this with the constant churn of daily news, which is forced to magnify the transient and mundane, right now, always.
And when we stuff our cognitive bandwidth with incessant noise, it’s no surprise we have no time nor space for clear thinking.
A measure of news worth knowing is when we repeatedly hear it from others first.
Otherwise, it’s probably better if we just switched it off.
Nationality
Today I unexpectedly teared up as I finally gave up my Japanese nationality.
This is because I’ve naturalised as a British citizen, and Japan does not allow for dual citizenship.
I think of the nursery rhymes, the hours spent learning to read, write and speak Japanese which feels like a thing of the past.
But identity transcends borders and documents, and I will always be Japanese by heritage and upbringing.
Nationality is but a narrow spectrum of our identity. A mere sociological construct that is becoming increasingly fluid in meaning.
Our identity is an amalgamation of everything that we’ve lived in our life time.
Today I unexpectedly teared up as I finally gave up my Japanese nationality.
This is because I’ve naturalised as a British citizen, and Japan does not allow for dual citizenship.
I think of the nursery rhymes, the hours spent learning to read, write and speak Japanese which feels like a thing of the past.
But identity transcends borders and documents, and I will always be Japanese by heritage and upbringing.
Nationality is but a narrow spectrum of our identity. A mere sociological construct that is becoming increasingly fluid in meaning.
Our identity is an amalgamation of everything that we’ve lived in our life time.
Gem
When we release a special record that flies under the radar, we produced a gem.
That special, understated and brilliant gem begging to be discovered.
The kind that tastemakers lose their mind over, the rare groove that’s yearned for.
And while it may not shine in the lime light today, it becomes your legacy that future generations will stumble upon and cherish.
The peak of a gem is never around the immediate reception.
Keep going.
When we release a special record that flies under the radar, we produced a gem.
That special, understated and brilliant gem begging to be discovered.
The kind that tastemakers lose their mind over, the rare groove that’s yearned for.
And while it may not shine in the lime light today, it becomes your legacy that future generations will stumble upon and cherish.
The peak of a gem is never around the immediate reception.
Keep going.
Fist bump
Today I looked after a friendly crack head.
He was discovered in his hostel room, skin tinged blue, short of breath and brought in by paramedics.
I saw him shortly after his last hit, uttering incoherent rubbish. I initially had to walk away because of challenging behaviour.
Eventually he came down - surprisingly pleasantly - preoccupying himself with a scratch card and general banter with neighbouring patients.
Concerned he maybe overbearing to the other patients, I walked over when he raised his hand and said “Sorry for being a twat earlier, I wasn’t my self doc“.
Then he looked at me sincerely, poised for a fist bump, and I bumped his fist.
Today I looked after a friendly crack head.
He was discovered in his hostel room, skin tinged blue, short of breath and brought in by paramedics.
I saw him shortly after his last hit, uttering incoherent rubbish. I initially had to walk away because of challenging behaviour.
Eventually he came down - surprisingly pleasantly - preoccupying himself with a scratch card and general banter with neighbouring patients.
Concerned he maybe overbearing to the other patients, I walked over when he raised his hand and said “Sorry for being a twat earlier, I wasn’t my self doc“.
Then he looked at me sincerely, poised for a fist bump, and I bumped his fist.
Plastic
Here’s the thing about over polished ideas.
They start to resemble someone who’s had excessive cosmetic surgery.
With shallow ideas over quantised, auto tuned and aggressively EQ’d we’d hope a meaning could be engineered into it.
But true meaning is never engineered into a track, it emerges first from a carefully crafted intention.
When we focus solely on surface-level enhancements, we miss the heart of creation.
Like plastic, superficial charm loses its allure fast.
Here’s the thing about over polished ideas.
They start to resemble someone who’s had excessive cosmetic surgery.
With shallow ideas over quantised, auto tuned and aggressively EQ’d we’d hope a meaning could be engineered into it.
But true meaning is never engineered into a track, it emerges first from a carefully crafted intention.
When we focus solely on surface-level enhancements, we miss the heart of creation.
Like plastic, superficial charm loses its allure fast.
Self Love
Love for ourself is not the same as arrogant, narcissistic inflated self worth.
Self love is the ability to accept ourselves as a human in progress.
When narcissists see themselves they do not see love.
They see someone unworthy of love.
And so they polish them selves in unhealthy ways so others validate them for them.
But when we practice self love, in the way a loving parent loves their child, we encourage ourselves to become better with grace.
And there is a comforting confidence in those who show up without being shackled to the need for external validation.
Quit
I’m having a particularly tough day today. I am not in the mood to write.
And relying on motivation is a difficult way to maintain practice.
Because it doesn’t matter who we are, our motivation to continue a practice will wane.
Seth Godin teaches us in “The Dip” if we’re going to start anything worthwhile, we should decide beforehand under which circumstances we’d quit.
This way, when the going gets tough (it will), what is being challenged is not our will power, but our principle.
I told my self I’d write each day unless I physically couldn’t do so. And so here I am.
Begrudgingly yours.
I’m having a particularly tough day today. I am not in the mood to write.
And relying on motivation is a difficult way to maintain practice.
Because it doesn’t matter who we are, our motivation to continue a practice will wane.
Seth Godin teaches us in “The Dip” if we’re going to start anything worthwhile, we should decide beforehand under which circumstances we’d quit.
This way, when the going gets tough (it will), what is being challenged is not our will power, but our principle.
I told my self I’d write each day unless I physically couldn’t do so. And so here I am.
Begrudgingly yours.