
Back from filming. It was an ambitious, if not crazy schedule of 15 production days for a feature film. I have to say, had huge reservations. Been witness to over ambitious, under funded, under seasoned film makers damage good peoples spirits. The one thing on the table that felt safe was that an old friend was leading the charge as director. Went, learned, healed. Got my Mojo filled up. I feel changed. Healed, and just plain better. So, that is the “around the horn”, topic. What filled your Mojo? Changed your life? Made you better? Deep question, but deep is good in between the fart jokes.
So my Mojo story is:
For a lot of good folks it’s been year of roller coaster of emotions, sorrows, and life changing disappointments. For a lot of us this year just wouldn’t give that extra breath between rounds. I was in a title fight that I didn’t have time to train for. A title I didn’t even want.
Some blows knock me to the ground. It was hard to get back up. Throwing in the towel seemed like a good call. Felt things were quiting on me. But here is where the wave starts: Without the wonderful people I have around me getting knocked out was a non issue. What’s the point of a fight if your not fighting for something? All my friends, family and the woman by my side gave me something to fight for. That extra shout from the corner goes a long way.
So the year kept going, kept on fighting. Kept on keeping on. Funny thing about “keeping on” don’t remember much of it. It naturally gets stored somewhere far away. So I guess it wasn’t that bad. This year I learned there is a natural balance to things. Appreciating Mojo can only happen if you’ve gone without it. Simple, but we fight and try to control the balance in favor of our convenience. So there you go, there’s the wise man saying… “to know good one must equally know bad”.
My experience in Hawaii filled my Mojo. I was losing faith in what I was doing. I couldn’t see the point anymore. What’s my contribution? Why even say hello? A little film brought me to Hawaii, not because of money, celebrity or any rational pragmatic reason. I went for something that had truth and sincerity beneath it. I love to act. Hawaii answered all the questions weighing me down. A healing was happened. Faith was back. Faith in myself, the process. Faith in people, it’s ok to say hellp. Faith in others. Faith in what I was doing did make a contribution. The crew and people I met Hawaii gave me long big hug. I know it’s all going to ok now. I wish I could bottle it and give it out to everyone.
Be well friends.









every time I go to Maui I totally get re-energized. especially if I find a nice sunny day and spend a few hours body surfing. totally cleansing.
nicely shared, btw…
Petting or playing with dogs fills my mojo. I can’t really seem to get enough of watching other people walk by with their amazingly cute canines. I stop and bother them and try to get my fill of the furry cuteness.
humans fill my mojo more, though. likewise, can’t ever ever get enough of hanging out with great friends, and lots of laughing.
great post. it’s definitely been a rough year for many of us.
sharing spam
Thanks for the story, Sung. Sounds like you had a great experience. I think I might have to write my own blog entry in response to your question. Might be too long for a comment.
The islands work its magic yet again. Mahalos for sharing.
Yes, Hawaii has the magical way of restoring mojo. After all these years of colonization and development, there’s still a very restorative, salt of the earth energy there with the people and place. That itself is an amazing thing.
I just returned from my alma mater Wellesley College where I was called to do a film panel. I try to go back as much as I can when I have the opportunity as it always fills up my mojo. On the surface it looks like and can have all the ills of a privileged ivory tower. But while the place is by no means perfect, there is a powerful and inspiring energy there. It’s the alchemy of being an all-female community with a deep sense of idealism amongst faculty and administrators that inspires students to be critical, passionate, and socially and politically conscious.
So happy for you Sung! I think that we, as artists, just love to grow on fertile soil. Good energy begets more good energy…
Thank you for sharing. I was not sure what you mean by mojo and tried Wikipedia and online dictionary, etc. I think now I kind of know what it is but still not 100% sure. Anyway, I enjoy reading your writing, which makes me also start thinking about what my Mojo is. I actually don’t know what I’m doing – the way of spending time and effort – make sense to me or anyone in this world. But I always end up with one answer – as long as I’m not under constant and unendurable pain or unhappiness, I’m on the right track with at least some luck. I’ve never been convinced that I’m doing right things, but I’m also pretty sure I’m not unhappy. Then, what I’m doing somehow make sense to something or someone or to myself. Do you think I understand what Mojo is correctly?
808 808 808 808!
Thanks 4 sharing. Hope all is well
Reprezent, yo. I’m so glad you had an amazing, rejuvenating experience. It was great to see you, even if for only 5 minutes. See you back in LA!
that was really inspiring… thanks for sharing!