Newsletter No. 544

康 健 型 格 / H ealth M atters 雅 共 賞 / ART iculation 看不到的除了再次湮沒的舊圖,還有沒機會面世的第三幅圖。 許玉年的留言道出方沆曾叫這位晚輩幫他畫第三幅像,但因 為許第二天要出門,便答應帶去旅途中畫好寄回來(「明日扁 舟雲水中,更教潑墨為圖寄」)。後來他大概沒有守諾,因為 有一位徐松留言,說「猶恨扁舟雲水杳,至今少卻第三圖」, 末了還怕不清楚,下面標上小字「謂許玉年」,tag了人家一下! 這幅畫的有趣留言還有很多,文物館開了一個Facebook 專頁「方伯的世界」,來給大家深入淺出地介紹。除了題跋 之外,也會介紹其他與中國繪畫有關的知識,歡迎讚好及 追蹤! Heidi Wong 三十年挑戰 Thirty Year Challenge 中國傳統繪畫除了圖像之外,經常也有很多文字,不僅寫在 畫心,也寫在透過裝裱開拓出來的書寫空間上。這些稱為 「題跋」的留言有些是畫家所寫,有些卻出自畫家或藏家 的同代相識或異代知己。有些題跋會記述題字者與作品的 淵源,有些則傾向抒發其對作品的感受等。作為作品的一 部分,它們讓畫作在畫家手中完成後,繼續在不同時空、不 同人的筆下生長得更加豐滿,有更厚重的歷史文化內涵。 這片書寫空間熱鬧得很,就像現代人社交平台照片下的留 言欄。文物館即將展出的《秋林瀹茗圖》就是這樣一個奇 妙的社交平台。畫中的伯伯名叫方沆,是清朝時浙江仁和 (今杭州)人。之前Facebook不是很流行分享自己十年前 後的照片嗎?沈颺的題跋告訴我們,《秋林瀹茗圖》本來是 方沆的一個「三十年挑戰」! 原來方沆有一幅三十年前請人畫的肖像曾經遺失,最後卻 奇跡地在京師找了回來。已經變成老伯伯的方沆再請人仿 照舊畫畫下他年老的樣子,在背景加上花和石,然後把兩 幅相隔三十年的畫裝裱在一起,邀請親朋給他題字留言。 留言的人中,有壞壞取笑的,說「畫猶然舊日裝,人不似年前 俊」;但也有人說方沆「風流有餘映」、「昔顏依舊如故」。 到底方沆老了之後有多走樣呢?因為舊圖已經散佚,我們就 只能發揮想像力了。 07 # 5 4 4 | 0 4 . 1 0 . 2 0 1 9 晨型人生 Don’t Seize the Day—Seize the Morning Graduations, job promotions, running a marathon— milestones provide us with points of pride, achievements that reveal our intellect, grit and work ethic. Reflecting upon a span of time usually rouses these milestones, these ‘big moments’. Goals we reach and associated celebratory emotions rise above other memories, stealing our attention like highlighted passages in a book. We fail to discern the small, quiet hours resting between these milestones. In reality, those mundane sticking points and times of friction hold a much larger stake in our lives than times of achievement. While tempting, to use milestones as our barometer for success reflects a suspect truth. Bending reality around our proudest moments creates a skewed narrative. No matter how much they stand out amidst our reveries, it isn’t what we do every ‘sometimes’ that defines us. But every day? A far more honest depiction. The routines and habits constituting our days form the bedrock upon which we stand. Creating a durable foundation is the springboard for our proudest moments to soar. Waking Up for a Better Life Everyone and his uncle has read articles about morning routines. But morning routines aren’t just reserved for health enthusiasts that swear by veganism, or those hyper- productive-types who listen to podcasts while reading while shaving while driving to work (we’ve all seen them). Some of the world’s highest achievers wake up before dawn. (Both Apple CEO Tim Cook and Disney CEO Bob Iger reportedly rise before 4:30 am to exercise.) A morning routine doesn’t necessitate setting an alarm at some ungodly hour—that’s exactly how to not start a morning routine. A morning routine you dread will not last. Rather, habits you are proud to complete should constitute each day, things such as exercise or reading or meditation. A balanced morning routine sets the tone, but so does getting to sleep. Too often, students roll out of their dorm at the eleventh hour, drag their lethargy with them to class and proceed to struggle against the increased gravity on their eyelids—not exactly optimal for learning. How would students feel—and perform—if they woke up earlier to exercise at the recreation centre on campus? Or if they read in the library rather than staying in bed scrolling through social media? Each day, I wake up early to exercise and read before going to work. I’ve continued this for many years and it’s helped provide stability and fitness in my life. By accomplishing something for my body and mind first thing in the morning, I can better focus on the awaiting tasks in my day. I have no decisions to make each morning; my routine automates everything. I’ve minimized uncertainty; autopilot guides my decisions. This affords me a greater capacity for reflection and mental clarity. These first tasks are the first victories of the day. Implement positive habits that can snowball beyond the morning to precipitate a healthier, more productive day. Me, Me, Me Morning routines are highly individualized. The goal shouldn’t be to emulate someone else, but instead to find what works and what doesn’t. For someone who spends a significant time reading each day, she shouldn’t add in an hour of reading to her morning routine. Or, someone who works a late-night shift would be ill-advised to try and wake up at 4:30 am. The objective is simple: find what works best for you. Recently, I’ve been experimenting with the ‘Do Not Disturb’ feature on iPhone, leaving it on until 9:00 am to minimize morning distractions. By no means have I perfected this habit, though it provides another opportunity for improvement—an added victory for the morning. I’m still testing whether to keep my phone on silent until after exercising or until I arrive to work. I’m seeking what works best for me. A morning routine creates space and time for you to focus on yourself before the day commences. Work, school, relationships—our schedules are rarely empty, making it easy for poor habits to derail our health. By starting each day with designated ‘me-time’, you are reminding yourself you are a priority in your own life. A morning routine allows you to frame each morning as a victory. That sense of accomplishment imbues you with confidence to catalyze the rest of the day. ‘Big moments’ don’t define you. Achievements stem from what transpires on a daily basis. Measure yourself with the disciplines of your daily, quiet hours. Not the stage- ready moments that define your ‘sometimes’. Consider the habits that would make you proud to accomplish each morning; then, seize them .  Phil Rosen

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDE2NjYz