Teach What You Know

I was reading one of my favourite writers' article last week, by Jeff Goins. The article is a simple secret to success: teach what you know. It sounds obvious, yes? But oddly enough, it's usually overlooked. 

image source

However, if you think about it hard enough, the things we're good at (or excel doing) are sometimes taken for granted. What may seem easy and "no biggie" for us will probably feel a hundred times harder for other people.

So, to experiment, I tested it out by sharing what I feel most comfortable with: my own world of Narsilonia, the fictional world I have been working on since I was fifteen. 

BE COMFORTABLE sharing

I wrote this, "creating your own middle-earth" and I thought while I was at it, why not share some of the things I find really enjoyable doing? Such as drawing the map and making up events in a chronological order. 

In a lot of ways, what Jeff wrote in that article was true. I was feeling more comfortable sharing what I know rather than trying too hard to share something I'm not entirely sure of or comfortable with.

Why don't you try it? Perhaps that's something you might have overlooked too.

Good luck! 

Read More

The Canon World

Recently, I got myself a brand new camera; a Canon EOS 1200D. It cost me around $400. It proved to be a very good investment because having a camera around my neck gives me a different perspective whenever I'm traveling. 

Before I had the camera, I had no idea at all what ISO, or shutter speed or Aperture is. But it has been really exciting to learn about all of them, even when most of the times, I'm still struggling to get the settings right. You can see some of the photos I've captured here. 

the beautiful sabah

Last month, I flew to Sabah and it was one of favorite holidays so far. I have always tried to make a point to travel to the less-traveled places whenever I'm going to a new place. 

I had even rented a car so that I could drive on the road and experience the place without any help from the locals (well, most of the time). 

To keep it short and simple, I've made videos of the trip. Unfortunately, I decided to only release Malay-version of the videos because I find it's more fitting that way. 

Check them out. 

Read More

The World God Created

nAY, I THINK NOT.

I have been following the writings of Buddha lately. It's easy to relate to because the things that some writers out there have written about his teachings is something I find very easy to relate to. 

When some of my  friends found out about the books I had read before, they mistook it as though I was considering converting to become a Buddhist. But wait a minute, just because I'm interested to live my life according to the ways of Buddha, should I call myself a Buddhist? 

I don't really think so, nay, I think not. 

Because I'm really without any religion really. I do believe in God, but I don't believe in religion. I believe that God has created this beautiful universe for us all to live in, and I do not  think God is that simple-minded to make a straight-cut choice between who will go to Heaven and who ends up in Hell by appointing them at pre-birth the "special religion" that can grant them the key to Heaven; when in fact, they were born with the religion to begin with as the religion of their parents are passed down to them.  

What make sense?

So, when I became more interested with the teachings of Buddha, it's more about cravings, aversions and the whole perspective on life; and I find that the more I learn to control my desires and the whole approach of minimalism, have really brought more peace into my life. 

I have also taken to heart the teachings of Christ. For example, don't commit adultery, don't go for "an eye for an eye" method and love your neighbors. 

These are the teachings that really make sense...to me. About the promise of Heaven and Hell to those whomever deserve it that is more based upon pre-birth judgement, that's just too far-fetched to me, at least. 

I'd prefer to concentrate on the deeds I'm committing now while I'm still alive. If there really is Heaven or Hell; if I am doomed to Hell for not professing the faith that's holding the key to Heaven, well, I guess I have been chosen by God to be there in the first place. 

Adventure

To me, life is adventure of love, discovering, excitement, grief, anger, learning and to leave a legacy rather than liability. 

Why wage war when all that it will bring, as history has taught us, pain and sorrow? But we do know how people have come together, nations were formed and new discoveries have been made since, as a result of the wars before. 

I am not saying waging war on one another is a good thing. I'm pointing out that we should look at the best for every thing that has happened to us. 

You and me

Ergo, whether Heaven and Hell exist, I don't dwell too long on it. It is after all, the afterlife. What we do have now, is to live this life as best as we could.  

That's the God I believe in, the One that guide us all to live as humanely as possible, and appreciate the beauty He has created for you and me. 

Read More

The Travel Writing Begins

image source

NOT MISSED

My best friend is tying the knot this September, and he'll be having his wedding in a beautiful place called Sabah. 

I've never been there. 

This year would be the first time I'm going there. I can't wait. 

OPPORTUNITY

My Asean trip is next year. Therefore, I think Sabah presents an excellent opportunity for me to test my skill as a Travel Writer. 

Sabah is not without its uniqueness and I'm pretty sure (based on my readings and hearsay) there are a lot of interesting topics for me to cover. Only trick is to pick which suits me best!

EQUIPMENT

I'm getting a video camera and an audio recorder for the recording while I'm there. And I am bringing along a camera to capture the pictures. 

There are a lot of preparation. Yes. 

I don't intend to spend my time flying to Sabah as a tourist. I prefer to say, I'd like to make it a working assignment. 

Who knows what I can write about there?

RESEARCH

So, in order to prepare myself and just like any well-established journalists would do, I need to properly research my subjects before I leave for Sabah. 

I need to identify an area of interest that I'd like to cover and get everything well-prepared. 

Watch this space. 

Read More