Author Archives: Brian See Chan

The Truth About Beauty

(published in the Hollywood Prayer Network newsletter – March 2012) One of the surprising news that caught much attention at this year’s Academy Awards had nothing to do with The Artist, Hugo, The Descendants or War Horse.  It was “Angelina Jolie’s Right Leg”.  On the red carpet, her right leg slid out from behind herContinue reading “The Truth About Beauty”

“REAL STEEL” Echoes the Cry of Every Heart

This film was expectantly enjoyable and surprisingly moving.  It’s a film that has gotten mixed reviews.  I found it had a good story and a real substance to the film that echoes what we all cry for.  Here’s my experience and take away from it, and I’ll warn you before I get to talking aboutContinue reading ““REAL STEEL” Echoes the Cry of Every Heart”

Why Do We Keep Fighting When We’re Too Tired To Fight? (Part 2)

What’s the point?  When we’ve fought and strived for so long, the “why” question naturally comes up.  There is likely a cause to our fight. It’s probably not pointless.  However, the goal of the fight could also be us, that is, the fight is part of our sanctification.  A fight shapes and forms a person. Continue reading “Why Do We Keep Fighting When We’re Too Tired To Fight? (Part 2)”

How Do We Keep Fighting When We’re Too Tired To Fight? (Part 1)

In a sparring match, one of the factors of losing a fight is tiredness.  A fighter eventually tires out and his muscles don’t have the strength to land a solid punch or react fast enough to a block. The fighter’s vision blurs from a lack of oxygen and his legs are too weak to standContinue reading “How Do We Keep Fighting When We’re Too Tired To Fight? (Part 1)”

Thriving vs Being Good: The Telos of Life

While having dinner at a friend’s place up in North Hollywood, I was trying to scoop salad with a pasta spoon – one of those with the serrated, round teeth and holes in the middle.  I was noticeably having some difficulty scooping the lettuce, carrots and tomatoes on to my wife’s plate as I triedContinue reading “Thriving vs Being Good: The Telos of Life”

Wing Chun as an Art of Grace

What I’ve come to like about Wing Chun and how it resonates with me is what I call its “aggressive grace.”  Without trying to use muscle strength to overpower a person, it teaches you to flow, use relaxed movements and to be non-resistant.  We don’t try to clash with the person’s energy but to flowContinue reading “Wing Chun as an Art of Grace”

Things That Aren’t Supposed to Happen

Do you encounter instances or experiences that make you say, “That’s not supposed to happen” or “That’s not right”?  Like, when a talented, young man of 21 at a prestigious college with a promising future suddenly loses his life and the dreams of what was expected to be a story yet to-be-told is cut short. Continue reading “Things That Aren’t Supposed to Happen”

All This Talk About “Boundaries”

I hear a lot of talk about “we need to have boundaries” these days – personal boundaries, healthy boundaries, relational boundaries, emotional boundaries, physical boundaries… Perhaps all this talk is because we’ve become wiser over the decades about what it means to live a healthy, successful life, one that preserves our happiness and sense ofContinue reading “All This Talk About “Boundaries””

Why Do We Hang On To Old Things?

After being married for 12 years, most of my eighties clothes have slowly disappeared.  My wife used to ask for my permission to sell my old clothes at garage sales, and then they started to gradually disappear into our donation bags.  Unbeknownst to me, I surrendered my clothes when I took large bags to Goodwill. Continue reading “Why Do We Hang On To Old Things?”