mao's last dancer

Yes, it's written to make even more money for a successful businessman.

Yes, the book lost it's appeal halfway through when he crossed over from humble to almost arrogant.

Yes, he's super rich now and all those things which he wrote with such awe are things he probably takes for granted now.

Yes, my English teacher probably knows better than I do.

But to me, there are some elements of the book that make it so incredibly appealing to me.

Firstly, ... it brought the reality of poverty right to my doorstep. I heard vague stories and allusions to the struggle in communist times from my grandparents and even my parents, but this book spoke with an eloquence that really brought the issue to life. It was real.
To me, it was always something I had acknowledged, but had stayed somewhere at the back of my mind.
And it's the knowledge of what real hardship is, what desperation was, what poverty really meant.
I could link it back to what my grandparents had told me (cultural and language barrier...), and I guess... really understand what it was like for them. It's one more link to my grandparents, which I'm only starting to learn to treasure right now.

And it's the realisation that many people are still living like that right now. There are still many people who can only afford to eat meat once a month, or not at all. Who survive on food that can be barely counted as food. People who... kids living in this life who look at their parents with hungry eyes, but don't say anything or ask for more, because they know they cannot afford it.

Maybe I will do the 40 hour famine today.

My memory is... short. It really is like a leaking sponge. I make resolutions, and they gradually leak out. I have such strong feelings one day, but the next day, I wake up and they are gone.

This book had that message to me.
One, to love my grandparents and my family.
Two, a reminder to desperate times. A strengthening of my resolution to do the 40 hour famine this year.
Three, a tribute and testament to hard work and determination.

Oops, haven't explained number three yet.

I found Li Cunxin's book very inspirational. It contained lots of anecdotes, examples and stories of hard work, determination, goal setting and achieving.
There is one thing in common with all the "greats" of our world. Those who are the masters of whatever field they chose, whether it be artistry or academics. Musicians, dancers, businessmen, politicians.
Those who are at the top of their field, all share on characteristic. They are fueled by some unknown power that drives them to pursue greater and higher goals. Somehow, they have the determination and perseverance to endure many years of hard work, day in day out. And they never let up.

I think that's amazing.
I can only resolve to work hard at violin for about ... eurgh. Not even a week.
How someone could patiently sit and practise 12 hours a day... is really the greatness in the professionals of today.

That's just the thoughts on the book.
And... I should go practise violin. (:

Oh, I laugh at this book on piano technique titled, "I Really Should Be Practising"

It took the words straight out of my mouth.

2010-03-06
8:55 p.m.
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