My holiday season so far...

The holiday season has been quiet and productive.  I tried to better manage my relationship with my phone, meditate at least twice a day, let go of many unimportant things in my head, limit social activities, let my mind and heart settle down -- it feels wonderful.  In addition to the "soul-cleansing" process, I also finished reading 2 big books (412 and 380 pages respectively) written by a photographer friend.  He is a professional photographer, a Canadian Chinese living in Alberta, Canada.  In fact, I will be joining his photography tour to the Canadian Rockies at the end of January.

I have to tell you that, by reading through all these pages, I am once again deeply touched by people's unwavering passion and devotion to what they love to do.  I am once again convinced that you can only be great at something that you passionately LOVE. 

I can relate to so much of what he described in the books about his long, difficult journey of photography.  The detailed planning for a trip, the anxiety, the fear, the excitement, the disappointment, the unexpected, the rain, the wind, the suffering, the sun, the moon, the stars and clouds...  Every little element - good, bad or ugly - adds to the last joyful moment when the shutter is pressed.        

I clearly realize that I am not nearly as accomplished as he is in photography.  In fact, I have come to terms with the fact that I am so far behind so many people in photography.  I clearly understand and accept human differences.  To me, the true value of living a fulfilled life is to always do your very best, never stop learning, AND be happy with who you are!

Oh, I almost forgot to mention -- both books are written in Chinese, which is pretty unbelievable (for him to write so well in Chinese).  Honestly, this is the first time I read so much Chinese in 28 years.  I really, truly, thoroughly enjoyed reading all his colorful stories -- thank goodness I can still see color through Chinese, haha!