Inspired by Passion

Although it is long, I encourage you to read it or at least watch the video!

Being a Phd student in developmental psychology and now meeting many people in the entertainment industry, I would say that I've met many types of people, from all walks of life to open my eyes to different situations and conditions.

The past year taught me even more, introducing me to a whole new dimesion of people from the media, events,and entertainment circle. Honestly, making a decision to continue my last two years doing research in Malaysia was a huge and scary decision for me, not because I was scared I wasn't going to finish, but whether I would fail in my pursuit to have my own talkshow on important social and psychological issues that will touch many lives, and waste more time when I could finish my PhD earlier. When I first came back, I heard no end from my father and grandparents to find a 9 to 5 job(Give me a break already), but they couldn't understand pursuing a career for passion because we are taught to strive for stability and following the grind.

A few people and signs kept me pursuing both careers whilst back here, and I am always open to new ideas and inspiration, this post is basically about two things(one a person, the other a story) that has inspired me to continue on my journey to pursue my passion and I hope it will too for all of you out there.

The first being the owner of the Art Cafe in SS2... why?

First, the only way I chanced upon this restaurant is through the magazine Haven, and you can never find it because it is in a housing area without any signboard....

Basic furnishings with the menu on the board

Decorated by his artwork

The two dishes and dished that I've tried out was single-handedly cooked by Christian Lai himself, way better than fine-dining in restaurants

The cherry on top of a priceless restaurant, the owner himself.

Christian Lai(above) inspired me with his passion for life and how he pursues it. He is the epitome of "living in the now" and not greedy for money. He originally came back to Malaysia 3 years ago and opened an art gallery. While working, he started baking pies for himself because he needed to eat freshly baked pies rather than processed ones. His customers loved it, which spurred him to start a small cafe next to the gallery. His cafe business burgeoned and was extremely successful. One day, he decides to just closed it down because it was too commercialized and he was losing passion for cooking. He opened a second one in a house, and it did well again. He closed it down again and I managed to go to his third one which he only opens if you reserve a day in advance.

He asks you to reserve a day in advance because he might just take off for a few months to travel. He only opens his restaurant when he is around, and he clearly cooks for passion, I can purely taste it in his food itself. Plus, he says he just wants to meet new people than enjoy his food, which drives him to continue the cafe at his house. A person driven to live and enjoy life day by day, rather than working on something he doesn't want to do, and being detached from materialism. He can switch off his phone while travelling for a few months alone, he's unreachable! Who can do that in this modern age?

The second thing that inspired me, a simple commencement speech by Steve Jobs which my father insisted I share with all of you...and I share his sentiments nonetheless.

You can read it HERE or spend the time watching it if you are a visual person

What I took home from both events that stumbled into my life in one day will definitely keep me moving on. I promise you that what I am doing isn't easy, sometimes it's pretty challenging to say the least. Anyone pursuing a PhD will tell you the same with as many as 50% or more dropping out of their PhD program around the world. It gets even more difficult to pursue a career in the entertainment world because its mostly based on "who you know" but I would say it's the passion to eventually touch many youth's lives that keep me going and stay on in Malaysia.

In a nutshell, pursue your passion even more so when you are young, have a clear direction, and try as many things as possible, and even make mistakes. Don't give up and be jaded with life over one mistake because every mistake is a lesson learnt.

As Steve Jobs said " Stay hungry, stay foolish"

xoxo

Meiz

P.S. Please share this if you are inspired by this post as well