"A Life of Less Ordinary" with Dr. Strange Actor

A LIFE OF LESS ORDINARY.

Happy Friday!?

With Memorial Day weekend approaching, I hope you will have a wonderful time with your loved ones and for yourself if you are based in America. For us, it'll be all about the sun.?

And with the spirit of this very day, I'd like to talk about Benedict Cumberbatch, the Sherlock and?Doctor Strange actor, who ever said, "I?was definitely more impatient to live a life less ordinary.?I wanted to swim in the sea that I saw the next morning. If you feel you’re going to die, you don’t think you’re going to have all those sensations again—a cold beer, a cigarette, the feel of sun on your skin. All those hit you as firsts again. It is, in a way, a new beginning.”?

These very lines, especially the first one - "I?was definitely more impatient to live a life less ordinary", were said after Benedict had a near-death experience in South Africa where his and his other BBC co-starts were held hostage at gunpoint and then were unexpectedly released as the criminals fled the scene.?

So an extraordinary life has my favorite actor continued to have. But what is extraordinary, really?

As a child, he was great at and enjoyed acting, but was also warned by his teacher that it'd be a "tough business." Being an actress for a three-minute commercial about kindness broadcast on Singapore's national television some years ago, I could totally understand what tough here means. That super short film was made by a crew of around 40 professionals from make-up artists to film directors and the whole process, at least on my and my son's end, took three long?days with lots of preparation and re-shooting. (Feeling exhausted, I also had an aha why so many actors resort to?drugs.)?

But Benedict still chose it, as the career aligns with his passion, purpose and unique talent set. It's simply who he is. He was willing to accept the other sides of that business. He invests in it.?He rose to be one of the most influential people on the planet.?

Yet, what I think makes him extraordinary is, indeed, also?what makes him ordinary. He practices mindfulness and meditation. He has a family with a career wife and three kids. He loves and respects his wife and mom. He wants to "seek some thrills at home." (He is surely not perfect but who is?)

With this "extraordinary life" studied and looked at, isn't it a life we all want for ourselves as we each has one precious life? Isn't it true that we?all aspire to lead?a life with our life purpose that's particularly meaningful and unique to us?honored, our unique talents uncovered and unleashed, our true passion - the very cause in the world we deeply care about - embraced, and our core values - including family and creativity and growth?for many among others - well lived?

Writing this piece, I feel truly happy and grateful that I have been enjoying such a life myself: a career I deeply love and fit with the whole me?instead of following somebody else' agenda, a family I treasure and spend time with instead of being not present and feeling guilty, and little wonders I savor instead of rushing through life in the name of achievements not meaningful to who I am.

For a happier YOU:

Prior to a session I delivered on Life Purpose yesterday, I gave my husband a teaser when he was making his morning coffee, "What do you think your life purpose is?" It's a heavy and scary question, I know.?And he said, "To live a healthy and happy life." I am not surprised though as over 70% of adults could articulate their life purpose. Most, when asked, stop there.

So start asking yourself:?

• What do I believe I was born for?
• What is my unique talent set?
• What are my top five values in both life and work?
• What is the very passion I deeply care about and can commit to long term despite challenges?
• How can I live a life of less ordinary??
• What is my "extraordinary"?
• How do I want to be remembered?

And also be ordinary! Enjoy the sunny days, the bloom in the garden, the fresh?air coming through the windows, the giggles of your little ones, the hugs and "I love you" of your spouses. Be mindful and be present. And meditate. And dance. And paint. And do whatever your heart tells you to do, however crazy?others may think.

If you are into mindfulness enough and a fan of the actor as well, then you may want to watch the documentary about Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh's?Plum Village named?Walk with Me,?narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch. My husband and I watched it the other day and I felt so zen, so alive, and more treasure each present moment of little things in life and with my loved ones.

Onwards to Happiness Infinity,

Amy Nguyen

?P. S. If you love this newsletter and think your friends may benefit from it, I'd like to invite you to spread happiness and share?this subscription link?with them.

Photo: Enjoying being?ordinary by drawing this piece when there was an electricity outage in my neighborhood?this past Monday.