Focus on Creation

by | | Her

I have to admit… I have been not writing much recently.

Why? There are just too many distractions – too much traveling, too much work, too much changes. I have been trying to do a simple act of just sitting down to – write, but it seems almost impossible in this age of connectivity. There is facebook lurking in the corner, the email inbox ringing with messages, there are just a thousand and one things to do. It is never ending… o my, no wonder I feel so overwhelmed to create new works of art!

I came across Zen Habits – Focus, and it has been very useful so far. As of today, I have changed my desktop wall paper to a nature scene – a sea of endless waves on my sleek iMac. My Google search screen shows a magnificent waterfall. I have tuned into Last FM – Tibetan Music. I have uncluttered my home, threw out all the things we do not need. My home is only filled with the bare minimal – without a television. I am making it a routine to stay disconnected from the internet by going to the cafe or lounging by the afternoon sun on my window seat.

I have to go back to the mode of creation, without creation, what is life?

I think recently I have an issue on caring too much on what do people think of me when they view my writings. No, my writings and my personal life are two entirely separate issues. My life is wonderful, I have a beautiful family, a beautiful home, a small supporting group of friends… my life is perfection as the way I live it. I am an avid reader, and reading inspires me to write.

I will begin writing actively from now on, an hour or two a day.
This is a new start.

Music is the Answer

by | | Her

Music, is the answer to my soul.

When I was a young girl, my mother was a classical piano teacher. My waking moments were filled with peace and joy. For days and nights, our home sung of music. Her students came from all walks of life to find the answers to life – through music. They practiced and she taught, they learnt and she guided. The fondest memories were of those times, were life was simple. The pursuit of art was the answer, and that the world revolved around the classics.

I never learnt the piano. Till today, I am questioned why. My mother was a beautiful pianist, well known in music circles and amongst her friends for her fine craft, why, did not her daughter continue her legacy? I knew the answer, I was simply not a musician. I am simply, a writer at heart. Our expression of artistry, our execution, was different. I was not her, and she is not me.

In my?earliest?childhood, our weekends were spent viewing performances in Victoria Concert Hall. ?I remember falling asleep in most of the performances, for I did not understand. I did not understand how powerful music can be as a form of communication. I did not understand how music can call out to our soul. I did not understand these, so I slept in my lullabies and dreamt of another world where I can create and be in.

Over time, my appreciation for music deepened. I started to realise why, why my emotions are stirred and moved by the black and white keys on the piano, why, my heart cries when I sing of pain, why, my soul sings when I hear the voice of an angel. My emotions, awoke with the sound of music. For my emotions had been dormant, it has been numbed and hollowed.

There was once I asked my mother why did she pursue music.

She answered,?”Music is a universal language, and has no barriers. For it is the most powerful language on earth.”

I finally understand why.