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Sunset at Lorong Halus

Sunset shoot with Shoot Buddy Kelvin

The big secret in life is that there is no secret.
Whatever your goal, you can get there if you are willing to work.
It is called massive action.
Action is the gas in the tank.
Without you, the car will not run.

Marcy Blochowiak
CEO Marketing Director with World Financial Group

Inspiration for your day...

We all have to start with ourselves.
It is time to walk the talk.
Take the journey of making very difficult decisions.
Start removing things from your life that are not filling your cup
and adding things that bring joy in to your life.

Lisa Hammon

Photography:
Abstract. Stream of light

Faith of your opinion...

Pic Source: http://ushistoryimages.com/columbus-voyage.shtm

“What I admire in Columbus is not his having discovered a world, but his having gone to search for it on the faith of his own opinion.”

Turgot (1727-1781)
French economist, statesman

Learning From the Magical Arts

How I started:

Magic is a talent, an art. People have been witnessing magic for thousands and thousands of years since the egyptian pharoas. I started magic when I was in primary school. Believe it or not, I was a rather shy and quiet boy then. Everyday after school (Catholic High Primary along Queen street), I would drop by a magic shop nearby (in Peninsular Plaza) to be "fooled" by the shop owner. More often than not, I would leave the shop with my wallet empty but with a nice trick or two. :)

Took a break for several years before I rekindled this long-set-aside-but-never-forgotten passion of mine when I started work in 1995. I've never looked back since. To hone my skills and gain knowledge in the magical arts, I started to join the various magic clubs I have access to. It was great meeting fellow magicians from Singapore and all over the world.

Magic Membership:

• International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM) - Member since 2000 - Present
• International Magician Society (IMS) - Lifetime member
• Singapore Association of Magician (SAM) - 2000-2007

LEARNING FROM THE MAGICAL ARTS- MY PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

As I reflected on my magical journey over the past 20+ years, I was able to identify 3 key lessons that I would like to share with all my friends. These key lessons are my personal reflections/views. I hope my personal reflections will help you to draw further inspiration in life.

The Key is PASSION

Everything starts with PASSION. Without PASSION, hard work alone will not help you to sustain your success in life. If you want to be successful in your life, PASSION is the key. I have met a lot of successful magicians over the past 20+ years. Many of them are not just good at what they do, they LOVE what they do! Yes, they are very passionate about their art. Sometimes I wonder why some of these "magical" friends of mine are so energetic. They can perform show after show during the festive season and not get sick of it. Well, besides good $, I think PASSION is the key. Take time to evaluate your life and determine what you are truly passionate about. Once you have done that, look for ways each day to apply that into your work, your relationships and your recreation. Add little doses of passion into small areas of everything you do. Besides that, choose your PASSION carefully. Pick hobbies or things you like to do that will also help you become a better person along the way. Don't pick hobbies that will destroy you! So, choose wisely.

For example, I love magic because this hobby of mine stretches my imagination, creativity, confidence and help me to meet a lot of wonderful people. Well, it can be a potential second career when I retire as well. Wonderful!

I love to read because reading helps me to grow intellectually. Reading allows me to connect with the great thinkers and writers of history and exposes me to new ideas, consequently making me a more intelligent and well-rounded man.

I love to photography because it helps me to center and calm myself. In the process, I met a lot of new friends as well. (I will share more on my learning from Photography in a separate sharing)

Practice, Practice, Practice...and JUST DO IT! (The Fear loop)

My first magic performance in front of my magic club members was a memorable one. Butterflies were flying in my tummy, sweaty palms, accelerated heartbeat, etc. Whenever I am nervous, I will tell myself to calm down, I will try to focus on other things and try to ignore the "fear". Very often, when we uncertain or fearful of something, we will work on getting rid of that fear. Our mental model is, once we get rid of that fear, we will be more confident in taking 'action'. Over the years, I've challenged this mental model of mine and created a new perspective. 

Firstly, you have to hone your skills (Practice, Practice, Practice). You have to know what you are doing, don't leave it to chance. Nothing happens by chance! 

Next, take action! Don't work on the fear, work on the 'inaction'. Please allow me to explain.

My old mental model:

When you are fearful, work on that fear. If that fear is not conquered, it will lead to inaction. Inaction will lead to your inexperience. Inexperience will further contribute to your inability to perform. Ultimately, this will reinforce your fear! (Please see the reinforcing loop below).

My NEW mental model:

When you are fearful, don't work on the fear. Work on the 'inaction' instead. In other words, JUST DO IT! TAKE ACTION! (assuming that you have done your homework, honed your skills, Practice, Practice, Practice) Once you have overcome your inaction, you will have some confidence and experience. With experience, your ability to do it better is very much enhanced. Once your confidence goes up, your fear will go down! Over time, the fear will eventually be less as you gain more experience. Am I making any sense? (Please see the same loop with a fresh pair of eyes below)

It's always about the people

Magic is not about how you can deceive or impress others. It is not about owning expensive props and amazing tricks. It's about the people. It is about entertaining and making people feel good and happy! Magic is also about respect. It is not about making your audience look stupid and silly.

Over the years, I've met a lot of magicians who are very interested in learning the most recent or complex sleight of hands or purchasing the latest magic trick in the market so that they can impress and fool their friends. We are all human at the core, and we can easily lose sight of that in a world ruled by money, power, and social status.

When I perform a magic trick for others, my intention is not to fool them. My intention is not to impress them. My intention is always to 'connect' with them. If I can make them feel good and respected in the process, I will do so. This is very important for me because magic to me is always about the people, not me! (or trick) Likewise at home or at work, although I am mindful of my duty/responsibility or the tasks I need to do, I will constantly remind myself not to forget about,

1. who I am doing these tasks for?

2. who are the ones doing these tasks for me?

At the end of the day, it is always about the people. The quality of the relationships we have around us will determine the quality of our lives. 

So Leaders, don't forget about your people, they are the ones who will make you sleep soundly at night. They are the ones who will make you successful. Develop and grow them. Take care of them. Celebrate success with them. It is always about your people!

Daddies and Mommies, remember why you are working so hard. Yes, you want to give your little ones a better life. You work so hard because you love your family. Don't make hard work and money your 'end' in mind. Remember, they are just a 'means' to your 'end' - your family (the people). Don't be so focused on your work and forget about how you little ones are growing up everyday. Don't neglect your wives at home, they need tender loving care as well. Don't take them for granted. It is always about the people you care about!

2 of my magic performances captured on video for sharing.

Well, this passion of mine will be with me for some time. 

Now ladies and gentlemen, sit back and relax. It gives me great pleasure to present to you, Jimmy Lee the magician....

Enjoy the video clips. Do share with me your thinking on my reflections. :)

About the clip below

My Magic Club (SAM) Annual Theatre Show @ Raffles Jubilee Hall

My Stage Comedy Lemon Game Routine. One of my favourite routine.

 About the clip below

I was invited as a guest performer for my Magic Club (IBM) Parlour Magic Competition.

This is a very amazing *Mentalism Routine. Enjoy!

* Mentalism is a performing art in which its practitioners, known as mentalists, appear to demonstrate highly developed mental or intuitive abilities. Performances may include telepathy, clairvoyance, divination, precognition, psychokinesis, mediumship, mind control, memory feats and rapid mathematics. Hypnosis may also be used as a stage tool. Mentalists are sometimes referred to as Psychic entertainers.