Tree-maker
In today's Straits Times there is an article on a guy who makes miniature trees for a living. The trees' foliage are made out of sponge coloured green and tree trucks are made out of joss sticks. Each tree sells for $16-$60. He mainly makes these species specific trees for architects to be used in their 3D models of buildings. He also sells to individuals who walk into his shop at Sunshine Plaza at Bencoolen St.
"What the....?"
That's the reaction most people would probably have to the idea. Probably his parents or friends would inevitably go "You think money grows on trees ah?!" Heck, of course it's a risk. Living our dreams is a perilous journey. Yet the alternative is unthinkable. To be dragged around through life from one meaningless chore to another, only to die. Take the danger any day or be dead, although living in safety, now.
Life's like this. You live. You die. In between, you've got a choice to make. You can either live your life or have your life live you. Many times, in my former life in the corporate world and in the world of the arts, I found myself operating on auto-pilot mode: drag myself out of bed, go to work, think about what I could be doing instead of work, meetings, meetings, meetings, leave work late, go shopping, pay my bills, eat, movies, movies, movies, sleep late, drag myself out of bed, etc. On hindsight, in comparison to the happiness, peace and motivation I find myself in now, it still shakes me that anyone can live in that manner. I had so much unhappiness and ignorance! I had make a choice to let go. Not just let go of safety and comfort of a "proper job" but also to let go of the unhappiness and routine that I was attached to. To let go and freefall into life which is, by nature, full of risk and advanture.
There is something powerful about being a tree-maker. I was moved when I read the article. He is a maker of his own destiny. I am reminded of a beautiful book by Italo Calvino, The Baron in the Trees. The main character is another who chose to live in his own way. When he was a boy he climbed up a tree when he had a dispute with the family. Somehow he decided that rather than to conform he would live his own life in his own way. An amazing life follows with him living until he died up in trees. He invented contraptions to improve his life up there and even became a hero of sorts to the people. This was set in the Age of Discovery in Europe. It dawned on people that only when they learn to take their destinies into their own hands that they can truly appreciate the amazing beauty of life in creation.
"What the....?"
That's the reaction most people would probably have to the idea. Probably his parents or friends would inevitably go "You think money grows on trees ah?!" Heck, of course it's a risk. Living our dreams is a perilous journey. Yet the alternative is unthinkable. To be dragged around through life from one meaningless chore to another, only to die. Take the danger any day or be dead, although living in safety, now.
Life's like this. You live. You die. In between, you've got a choice to make. You can either live your life or have your life live you. Many times, in my former life in the corporate world and in the world of the arts, I found myself operating on auto-pilot mode: drag myself out of bed, go to work, think about what I could be doing instead of work, meetings, meetings, meetings, leave work late, go shopping, pay my bills, eat, movies, movies, movies, sleep late, drag myself out of bed, etc. On hindsight, in comparison to the happiness, peace and motivation I find myself in now, it still shakes me that anyone can live in that manner. I had so much unhappiness and ignorance! I had make a choice to let go. Not just let go of safety and comfort of a "proper job" but also to let go of the unhappiness and routine that I was attached to. To let go and freefall into life which is, by nature, full of risk and advanture.
There is something powerful about being a tree-maker. I was moved when I read the article. He is a maker of his own destiny. I am reminded of a beautiful book by Italo Calvino, The Baron in the Trees. The main character is another who chose to live in his own way. When he was a boy he climbed up a tree when he had a dispute with the family. Somehow he decided that rather than to conform he would live his own life in his own way. An amazing life follows with him living until he died up in trees. He invented contraptions to improve his life up there and even became a hero of sorts to the people. This was set in the Age of Discovery in Europe. It dawned on people that only when they learn to take their destinies into their own hands that they can truly appreciate the amazing beauty of life in creation.
