{BE THE CHANGE} Be inspired – Get involved – Take action
是的，許多人要求Ayesha跟我能否將Reading Night變成常態的聚會。我們決定在12月12日舉辦第二次Reading Night。如果您想增加您的英文能力及認識更多不同文化背景的創意人，並能做到下列事情：
帶自己要喝的飲料（紅酒，啤酒，茶水）
帶自己寫的詩或最喜歡的詩來朗讀
帶自己名片，並決心在Reading Night結交兩個好朋友
NT$ 200門票
我將開放10人給我Blog的朋友，先寫e-mail給我的人，有優先機會參加。
Update on 2009-12-30 Here are some photos from the 2nd Reading Night.
[nggallery id=9]
我一直認為一個城市一定要先有各種不同的創意生活及願意參與的創意消費者，才可能有所謂的創意生活產業。我相信創意人是需要跟不同的創意人互動，唯有如此，才能有新的刺激，新的靈感。但台北一直缺少多種語言，來自不同文化的創意人互動的機會。
現在請問問自己，您最近一個月有曾參加過一個能激發您對生活中有不同選擇的活動嗎？您願意投資時間，走出安全舒適的習慣生活，體驗自己從不曾體驗過的活動或生活方式嗎？如果沒有，您沒有任何人可以埋怨，因為您選擇沒有take time, take risk, take action. 沒有選擇，也是一種選擇。
我決定跟好友Ayesha共同主辦一個讀詩及即興音樂的晚上，Ayesha跟我都覺得目前的台灣社會，缺少深度聆聽 (Deep Listening) 。Reading Night是一個機會讓我們真實的給他人我們專注的聆聽，分享我們對文字及聲音的喜悅。每一個人帶他自己寫的或所喜歡的一首詩，朗讀給大家。在讀詩的空檔，我們會邀請愛音樂的人帶他的樂器，即興的跟我們分享一段他的音樂。
11月14日，星期六，是一個奇妙的晚上，再一次證明了台灣需要更多有創意的，人與人真實的互動機會。因為網路科技的方便性，在虛擬的世界，我們忙於經營自己的成長，自己的學習，自己的喜悅。我們忘記了在實體的世界，對他人的好奇，忘記了真正的聆聽，忘記了“給”的喜悅。再多的品德修養及美感生活教育，如果沒有在生活中創造體驗的機會，是不夠的。當天晚上有近70人參加，其中有十多人，上台朗讀他的詩。有一位新朋友，抱著他的小狗，朗讀他為自己心愛的小狗所寫的一首詩。有人用自己所作的電子音樂，配上自己的詩。有人用心情朗讀。有人用肢體朗讀。有人用音樂朗讀。
每一個在台下的人，都細心的聆聽著。剎那間，我被這種深沉的寂靜所感動。我們每一個人都有心情的故事分享，但沒有人願意聆聽，直到此刻。
雖然這次聚會，絕大多數都是住在台北的外國朋友，詩也是以英語為主，我希望以後有更多不同的語言，法語，日語，國語，台語，客家語，原住民語。畢竟，這是一個喜歡文字跟聲音的人的聚會。當詩，音樂與紅酒碰撞時，將是一個致命的吸引力。您認為呢？
[nggallery id=8]
很高興有機會跟張懸做最近距離的接觸。張懸是歌如其人，人如其歌，只是我覺得真正的她是一個詩人及有思想的老靈魂。如果有興趣，請閱讀這一期（十月）的30雜誌。歡迎在此跟我們分享你的閱後心得。
朱平 ╳ 張懸
簡單了，人才能做自己
引用網址：http://forum.30.com.tw/Board/show.aspx?go=1665
朱平與張懸，一個是六十耳順的赤子之心，一位是二八年華的老靈魂，內外剛好相反，這是他們的初次見面。
朱平是生意人，但寫 作、旅行是他生活的一大部分；張懸是創作型歌手，大部分時間留給揮毫、打坐、種菜，兩人都是生活簡單的人，簡單，讓世代沒了界限。
兩 人都愛往台東都蘭跑，素不相識的兩人聊起才知，他們的共同朋友是巴奈。都蘭是朱平認為，最能簡單生活的地方。在那，他可以跟著原住民朋友來段即興演唱，在 天地之間，上身赤膊，學會了「保血」之道，下午四、五點一定要到有風的地方「躲蚊子」。
張懸很早就開始獨立生活，在女巫店駐唱 時，兼當音控，有時還會進廚房幫忙， 她的生活很簡單，這些就夠她維持基本生活開銷了。出道，成為唱片歌手後，除了宣傳期必須國內外到處跑之外，她不是進錄音室，就是在家，身上有股悠然，穩穩 走在人生想走的道路上。
生活，其實並不簡單。有些人希望周遊列國，不少人想有足夠的錢做要做的事，也有人想要田園生活，但這 些，都不是簡單事，而我們所處的世界又太過多元、複雜，從朱平與張懸的對話中，了解簡單生活像是一種修練，只要不再以有色眼光評斷，保持開放的態度，自己 就能得到解放，也能慢慢找到真正要的東西。
保持開放 覺知生活
不去想自由，反而更輕鬆，同樣，不去想簡單，反而自由。當長大時，我們會拒絕接受一 些新東西，簡單生活就是要能夠保持開放。
張：現在年輕人有這樣的困惑，為什麼簡單生活只是一個生活方式，而不是我的生活？
朱： 你要能夠安靜下來，踏實去看東西，不要被「simple life」這個詞限制。就像你的歌，生活有時快樂，有時寂寞；有時簡單，有時複雜。對你簡單的事，對我複雜；對你複雜，可能對我好簡單。
不 去想自由，反而更輕鬆，同樣的，不去想簡單，反而自由。當長大時，我們會拒絕接受一些新東西，簡單生活就是你要能夠接受。
就像 你，多接觸不同的音樂，慢慢就會啟發，會發現Yes！I can borrow this style，but I still me（我可以借用這個風格，但還是自己）。你不再只是單純的吉他，音樂有複雜性，有Jazz、Rock，不停拓展東西，這樣熱情才能延續，因為你願意去接 受，不是用一種批判的眼光去看，或是說你要證明給我的有多好。
張：我看到很多這個世代的青年都有一個普遍現象，他們崇拜、嚮往 像仙女、rocker 的生活，要不然，就是想追逐這樣的生活。但是，無論在歌裡，或在人的個性上放了多少訊息，目前社會風氣無法幫助他們有機會去抓住他能得到的訊息，以及反過 來告訴他，可以怎麼做，所以他不斷崇拜張懸講出什麼話，張懸為什麼可以這樣做，但是忘了這樣對自我發展，一點幫助都沒有。
朱： 這是因為生活經驗不同。很重要的是，年輕人需要增長生活經驗，而不是先做職涯規劃，很多東西是一直在震盪，震盪，多元價值觀就會出來。
張： 這就很有意思！很多東西你得到了，有了經驗，當你講時，別人看你，其實很多是觀望的態度。就像是做不同音樂，要用不同的編曲，一開始大家都觀望。我覺得， 台灣這十年，不管是文化、社會現象都屬於觀望，好的也觀望，壞的也觀望，沒有人要去扼止，或是硬要去發展與了解。台灣曾經做到，這幾年變的很弱勢。
你 可以不聽同一輩的人在講什麼，因為我們都是在競爭。你28歲，我也28 歲，我怎麼知道你在35 歲時，會不會在這條路上死掉？若我跟著你走，不是很慘嗎？回過頭來，若是有一個人告訴你，這跟行不行得通無關，就會變成是一個文化價值。
朱： 事實上都是實踐，你被啟發的不夠，人可以被詩、歌啟發。或者是投入不夠，要相信自己，去做它，做了一些事，可能失敗了，但要了解會有一扇窗打開，過程中， 生活經驗也變豐富。人要有覺知的能力。你可以追尋偶像，仰慕某個人，因為你在經過一種茫然的偶像追逐後，慢慢才會到覺知的那個點，不是突然間，一點就通 了，而是經歷一個過程。
懂得取捨 學會放下
超 脫和追求時常混雜，要問自己，願意取捨什麼？你要放棄一些東西，當你願意接受時，就不會說是放棄，而是歡喜去做。
張：〈 關於我愛你〉的歌詞有一句是「超脫和追求時常是混在一起」，這是我現階段人生的真心體會。
朱：所以要問對的問題，問自己為了過 簡單生活，願意取捨什麼？生活是一直在做決定，而且要知道是在何種基礎上做決定，很多人全憑感覺，這導致生活變的很複雜。
就像 你要當創作型的歌手，你也要放棄某些東西，但那個放棄是你願意接受的。我當初回來時，用一張紙寫下我要的是什麼，為了要這個，願意放掉什麼，當我接受願意 放掉的東西，那就足夠了！我失去了賺大錢的機會，因為帳是公開的，第二是我失去了陪孩子長大的
機會。
生 活會複雜，因為你不敢去放掉任何東西，什麼都要，當然會很痛苦。別人有美滿的婚姻、孝順的兒子，為什麼我當沒有？都在比較、評斷，這樣沒辦法生活。你要獨 立、要自由，那要思考願意放棄什麼？我沒有手機，但最近一直在掙扎，要去都蘭生活，就必須要有手機。
簡單生活不是個口號，不是 個嚮往，就像說好嚮往張懸，過簡單生活，唱歌、寫歌。重要的是，你要找到你的強項，每個人都有強項，要實踐才能改變，知道你要的是什麼，這很重要的。
我 回台灣創業，不是要把自己忙的一塌糊塗。我在台灣這22 年，我贏得生活，這是我自己摸索出來，現在可以告訴年輕人：「Hey！_is can be done.」但是，你要放棄些東西，當你願意時，就不會說是放棄，而是歡喜去做這件事情。
回歸本質 做回自己
聊 完simple life，兩人意外發現，有著許多共通點，如喜愛的歌手、事物的觀點，張懸說：Take a break！回來，想跟朱先生談談如何做自己……。
「懸」是張懸跟老師聊天時，覺得現代年輕人心常在安定中尋求不安定，心情總 是懸在半空中，很像自己的心情寫照。
雖然清楚自己喜愛創作，堅持做音樂，也想法子做到，但從單純的音樂創作人，走進主流娛樂世 界，簡單的張懸在經歷過人情世故，在繽紛世界裡收斂，慢慢找到更圓融的自己。她認知到，真正的突破，不能只流於變成另一人，而是藉由新體驗挖掘自己、了解 自己，才能在自己的世界更自由。
22 年前，朱平回到台灣創業，因為覺得人生下半場，想做自己。他花了12 年時間，才開了13 家店，從小開始做起，他定義自己是生意人、悅日人、漣漪人，選擇自己想要過的，可以控制的生活，所以
他沒 有手機，完全授權員工。
朱平希望自己是生生不息，去做有意義事情的人，從不說要退休，適時重新設定人生，因為這樣才有熱情。現 在，他在都蘭找了一塊地，準備找MIT 設計師，要蓋一個戶外即室內、13.5 坪的小房子，跟天、地、海洋、太陽共處。
「成 功沒那麼嚴重，做自己反而比較心安理得，如果受了傷，就喊一聲痛，真的說出來，就不會太難過，」這是張懸〈兒歌〉的歌詞。即便在數位取代卡帶，這個不鼓勵 「Jam（即興演奏）」的年代，他們依然做自己，保有自己的樣子。簡單，就是對自己的一種解放，也因為懂得簡單、實踐簡單，他們在人生的舞台盡情演出。
實踐自己 相信自己
先 看自己對實踐的定義，定義後，就會有解決方法，然後相信自己，找出一個新模式，做自己。
張：這個年代並不鼓勵「Jam」。 digital（數位）錄音對編曲或是錄音成果的感覺不求真實、不求瞬間，要的是精緻到播放兩萬次都保證保險的作品。進錄音室，樂手或是歌手本身不再追求 當下蹦出來的火花，或是說自己不練習到當下給出來的是最有力量的瞬間，然後錄下來。
現在的心態像影印機，要彈一個亳無缺失的東西，最好是標本，而
不是今天心裡憂傷，所以彈出來的音樂非常憂傷，大家比較往實現腦
中 不可能的創意去發展，當然這也有它的美妙。
朱：很多人喜歡你，是因為歌的內容與表達的方式，當然最重要的是真誠。就像胡德夫的 歌很美，聽他講話，更美，因為非常純真。我在電視上看到一個陸戰隊救災的原住民，他說：「我的心現在開的好大、好大！」他沒有過多的修飾，直接用他的方法 表達。
畢卡索就受了非洲文化的刺激，他的幾何是受原住民的影響。他們做圖騰時是把眼睛用大大的，鼻子歪歪的，全都不成比例，很 像一個人的感覺，這時simple 就進來了，就像我為何會愛上都蘭，那邊的人很吸引我。
張：你相信你要先靠個人的成功，或者 是爬到一定的地位以後，你做的事情才有可能被實踐？
朱：Good question！這要看你對自己實踐的定義是什麼，定義後，就會有解決方法。對我來說，解決方法是sustainable（永續）。我對你的建議是，你 要自己去想出一個方法，以自己做model，不要擔心別人會講你，要對自己有信心。不要忘記，你還有很多、很多的機會去找到真正的自己。
張： 台灣的音樂被操作的太快，很糟糕的是，它不像是朱平的簡單生活就是做個生意人、悅日人、漣漪人，熱情的他最喜歡與人分享正面思考的力量，也用此理念經營企 業、管理團隊。
我可以開一家手工小店，有一定的知名度，可以有固定的客源。眼前，做一個創作者，或是有個性的歌手，都免不了會 被當成是一個標本，被關進動物園，其實現在很多民謠，或是跨界藝術都有這些現象。聽到你這樣講，我覺得被鼓勵，但是隔天早上起來，我面對的依然是同樣的現 狀。
朱：在我看來，你已經很好了，為什麼要變？我們可以找出一個新的模式，那個模式是我不在乎別人怎麼說，就是做自己。幾年 前，我到柏林圓了一個年輕時的夢，去看Leonard Cohen（詩人歌手）的演唱會，當時他已76 歲，我本來以為去的人都是四、五十歲的人，但蠻多是二、三十歲。我其實很高興，因為他的歌是經典，不受時間限制，聲音不受年齡的限制，比從前更有磁性的 美，你的歌詞也一樣，要timeless（永不過時）。你是新世代的代表聲音，我也是新世代，
因為我沒有停止學習，所以我不是 old age（大笑）。
張：我以為我是old age，其實我喜歡的與能影響我的人事物都要追溯比較久的年代，正確來說，我應該是old soul（老靈魂）。
朱：其實，老 靈魂很重要，你會很有敏感度，當具有能成為經典的事物出現時，可以馬上找到其中的獨特，獨特必然是經得起考驗的真理，才會被保留，像我就是一個後知後覺的 人。
張：但你對事物有很好的觀點，就是說，你不需要一開始就抓住節奏，因為即便是節奏很快，你也能找到自己的節奏感，我覺得那 才是能寫出反應潮流、現狀東西的重要因素。
肯定自己 成就自我
大家對於自由、簡單或是實現夢想充滿了期待跟最後一點的無助，而那個無助讓人感到退 卻或自卑，其實，一首很簡單的旋律就可以肯定自己。
張：你認為，你累積或成就最深刻、最有意義的價值是什麼？是你做過的這些事 情？還是實踐AVEDA 品牌？
朱：做過的這些事情。品牌是透過我做，但不是我一個人能創造，是消費者認同我們的價值觀，創造 了AVEDA品牌，不是說張懸今天多棒、多棒，而是聽到你的歌之後，被你影響、鼓舞的那些人，才是最有意義的。要相信自己，就像你的歌一樣，〈寶貝〉是你 的代表作，但〈兒歌〉更好。
張：很多人喜歡〈寶貝〉這首歌，給我的回饋是，會對女兒唱這首歌、對情人唱這首歌、對父母唱這首歌，但他們從來不對自己唱這首歌，沒有人會把自己當寶貝。 我突然覺得大家對於自由、簡單或是實
現夢想充滿了期待跟最後一點的無助，而那個無助讓你感到退卻或自卑，所以我故意把這首歌叫 〈兒歌〉，其實它是給大人聽的兒歌，用一首很簡單的旋律，依然可以肯定自己。
黃春明老師對我啟發很大，他是我到現在為止，每張 專輯都希望能夠找的人，讓文學跟音樂一起走，而不是只受限於做大眾一聽就記得的作品。我一直很希望有天音樂能力比較成熟，回頭幫黃春明老師做兒童舞台劇、 歌舞劇的音樂。這個年代的小孩，幾乎沒有屬於中文世界的本土偶像，我們聽海綿寶寶，但是我們沒有自己的兒歌、卡通，甚至沒有自己的故事書。
朱： 為什麼我最喜歡你的〈兒歌〉？我認為，我們應該創造自己的傳統。過去因為戰亂的關係，一、兩百多萬人大遷移到台灣，我們失去了很多東西，創造傳統可以從兒 歌開始。家裡也可以創造自己的兒歌，好不好聽是另外一回事。我們家沒有袓譜，我想要創造屬於自己的傳統，第一個我就想到要創造兒歌，兒歌本身愈簡單愈好， 我就抱著女兒，重覆哼著：「我家小妹妹、小妹妹啊，睡覺呀！依呀依呀、嘿喲嘿喲嘿」。有次，女兒在線上丟msn給我，我請她證明是我女兒，她用羅馬拼音打 出這首歌詞，這首歌變成朱家的暗號。
朱：現在年輕人覺得任何都是可能的，但在過程中，若碰到挫折，很容易就被打下去了，因為沒 有挫折過。最近我接觸正向心理學，其中有個重要因素是調適，把自己當成阿Q 一樣，不會讓外在的事情影響你，遇到不如意的事時，要知道如何處理它。我倒是想問你，碰到低
潮時，你都怎麼辦？
張： 我會抄書，我很依賴抄書，不管是整理思考，還是重新消化我的字句，會有完全不一樣的思考方式，我通常都要消化很多東西，其實沒有辦法當下就決定，我寧願回 家想清楚，再回答，所以這兩、三年，我常看起來是比較猶豫的。
朱：生活很困難，接受它時就不是問題了，不接受它，一直找 simple life，就會變成一種負擔，變成不輕鬆。有恐懼是很正常，感覺你的恐懼，但儘管放手去做，因為在做的同時，才會產生新東西，grow on ourselves，be a centeron a top topic（專注焦點，讓自己不斷超越成長）。
因為一直無法將上次飛碟電台“藝術好好玩”節目的錄音超大檔案壓縮轉載，心中一直有個結。經過好友的幫助，終於能夠跟大家分享劉軒，翁美慧及我的對談。希望您們會喜歡。開始聆聽 (36:32 min)
P.S. I want to thank Liu Shiuan and Maggie for making the interview recording available for my blog.
文章擷取自 Milk (07/09) Taiwan Edition
閱讀請點擊圖片再放大
文章擷取自兩岸網 www.chinayes.com
朱平說簡單
簡單就是對自己的一種解放
對朱平來說，簡單是因人而異的。「不是每個人都要去修行、當和尚、回家種田才叫簡單生活，或許對某些人來說，這很複雜、痛苦的要死。」因此，簡單生活不必拘泥於特定的型態，過你可以控制的生活，就叫簡單生活。
另一方面，朱平認為，簡單生活也是不批判的生活。不去批判就不會有誰是誰非；不把自己放在受害者角色就不會抱怨。當妳不用有色眼光去評斷對錯，對事情開放的接受，此時，就得到解放，慢慢的妳就會找到妳要的東西。
朱平的簡單生活就是做個「生意人、悅日人、漣漪人」，他選擇自己想要過的、可以控制的生活。身為企業經營者，當個「生生不息去做有意義事情的人」，是他的「生意人」之道；每天有意識的讓一個陌生人感到開心，是他的「悅日人」目標；把「生意人」與「悅日人」從小地方做起，從1%開始改變，以自己為中心開始去影響他人，從自己做起再推己及人發揮影響力，則是他「漣漪人」的宗旨。對朱平來說，這些事情一點都不複雜，因為是自己想做的，可以做的。
朱平認為，簡單不是一種口號，不是去過別人口中的簡單生活。簡單生活像是一種修煉，妳要願意觀照自己的內心，願意改變，最重要的是展開行動，再來則是給自己時間。
持續的過妳自己選擇的、可控制的、不帶批判性的生活，就是朱平口中也自我實踐的簡單生活。
時常造訪我部落格的人都知道，我認為一個好的部落格，不在文章的多少？而在於回應的內容品質。我非常驕傲有許多好朋友參與，讓這部落格成為我們共同體驗生命的聚會所。當您們有任何問題，我都歡迎您們在此分享。要再一次的抱歉，我用英文回答您們的問題（千萬不要怕英文。這部落格的成立就是要在台灣建立一個英文友善的網路環境。）英文只是一個工具，一個讓我們獨立尋求答案，跟世界溝通的工具。雖然我並不能給您們任何答案，但經過不斷的問對的問題，您慢慢會自己找到答案。
在最近的一次 Ppaper Business 06 中，我寫了一篇有關Kiva.org的文章，得到許多年輕朋友回響，經過他們同意後，我將其中兩人跟我的來往e-mail分享 於後，希望大家能開始對自己及對社會更有信心，不斷的問自己三個問題：
1. What do you hope to achieve in life?
2. What is important to you now?
3. What topics are you most concerned about?
用心的找出這些答案，一直在心中醞釀打量，有一天當您準備好時，就是您開始行動時。
永遠不要放棄成為一個Better Person的機會。
這是與LL有關kiva的來往信件。
—————————————————————————————————-
Dear Mr. Chu,
First of all, I really like what you mentioned in your blog posts and articles: you’re a businessmaker, daymaker, ripplemaker. I like the “ripplemaker” especially, because I’m always trying to be a ripplemaker. I firmly believe I can help or change others once I try to do so.
I’m a graduate student studying in NCCU(National Cheng-Chi University and majoring MIS(Management of Information Systems). I’m also a web developer with some experience.
After reading your article on ppaper business, I decided to send a mail to you. I finished my lending process on Kiva. In fact, I have a Kiva account from last year, but I didn’t try to loan until yesterday.
I think you gave me the drive to visit Kiva again and lend some small money for those people in need. I can’t agree with you more that what you said “entrepreneurship is the best way to create jobs and resolve poverty”.
I lended us$25 to a single mother who lives in Nicaragua for helping her small business. The reason why I decided to lend to her is simple: she’s a single mother who raising a child, and she can finish expected amount after my loan. I hope it would be a little helpful for her.
For your second challenge in ppaper business, I feel it’s a very interesting topic especially in Taiwan. I’ve thought about the feasibility and market in Taiwan when the first time I heard about Kiva.
As a web developer, I think building up a Kiva-like website in Taiwan is doable. In Taiwan there are some nice web services for cash-flow, and we’ve got a large Internet popularity, and the most important one is: people in Taiwan is much richer than some countries.
I think there are some concerns if we wanna build up a Kiva-like website in Taiwan:
1. Law issue. I’m not a lawyer and not a professional for laws, but I think there must be some restrictions for this model.
2. Moral hazard and risk such as frauds, bad debts. I think people in Taiwan maybe have some experience or heard about fraudulent organization. I don’t know if it would be a obstacle for promoting a Kiva-like idea in Taiwan.
However, I think the basic idea for helping somebody to start up is definitely feasible. I don’t know how did you consider the feasibility or other related issues about it?
Last but not least, I’m really glad to send this mail to dear Mr. Chu. I think I’ll send mail to you again in the future if I have some ideas about Kiva or something. 🙂
Yours sincerely
LL
Dear LL:
Thank you for your thoughtful emails. You are my Daymaker today. Your English is excellent, by the way.
The idea of my column on Ppaper Business is not to introduce Kiva but to get more people to take action and become Kiva member. It is not the money it counts, it is a way to know yourself. Why did you not loan this US$ 25 when you got excited about Kiva? This self reflection will teach you to know yourself. On the other hands, after learning this about yourself, you got involved with Kiva and loan US$ 25 and become a proud Kiva loan giver. You are on your way to do great things in the future. Now, you are thinking and doing things differently.
Look at the mirror and change the man inside.
Yes, I know there is legal issue on this in Taiwan. Kiva has even more problems in the States. However, they set up it as a non-profit and got into a gray zone when they started. Now, they have in house legal advisor to guide them to comply with the law.
I also know “104 boss” in Taiwan has the similar concept but poorly designed and poorly executed. Prosper has been shut down due to the for-profit nature of the business and the high deliquency rate.
Kiva is micro loan to the real poor people through other partners in the field. The repaid rate is so high that it has become a golden standard. They can make US$5.0 million loan a month now. What a accomplishment?
My good friend, Wendell, told me the culture thing is in the way. Taiwan is a low trust society. We are too smart to trust anyone. Please take a look on Kiva’s member list. They are all normal people with middle class income. They are happy because they want to share happiness. I believe we have enough this kind of people in Taiwan. We just need to find a way to release this powerful intention. Your talent in web design and system implementation could be a great asset for us to launch a great web based social entrepreneur. Are you that good? 🙂
Kiva is a concept. we can leverage this concept to build a web based platform to help people lift their poverty or any other causes.
Please keep in touch so we can create a think tank to use web to do good things.
Be the change, Ping
－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－
這是與RR有關kiva的來往信件。
－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－
Dear Ping,
This is the first time I try to mail you some of my thought. I’m 18 now, and studying computer science in NCCU. I’ve read ICB and ppaper since I was a high school student.
I have great interested in Web technology and business. I’ve learned related skills for 3 years and an intern Web developer in a company for 1 year. This summer, I’m dedicated to an independent website startup, and hoping that I can do something amazing.
The love of the internet is why I feel really excited as I read your article in the latest magazine.
I think Kiva is revolutionary because it show a whole different approach and possibility of charity. It reminds me of Red product project. Most of us consider doing charity to be donating something like money or time but both of Kiva and Red are not.
Actually, Kiva isn’t a new idea and I’ve learned it years before. I still remember either Kiva or Prosper was popular in 2007. In Taiwan, there is no trouble to build such a website. Any senior web developer like me can build a full functional one by himself. As far as I’m concerned, the main problem we’re faced with is that such an abnormal loan agency which perform every operation peer-to-peer and online might be illegal in Taiwan.
To be frank, the reason why I send you the mail is not only because I want to share some of my idea but also want to help you to build up a Kiva-like website in Taiwan. I’m sure that I have great ability of Web design and development. If you have any problem or just need some help, please tell me. I would be glad if I can take part in such an revolutionary project.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you and thank for your reading.
Best Regards,
RR
Dear RR:
Just a quick note to thank you for your can do spirit. I would love to meet you and connect you with other young people who are aspiring to be a web entrepreneur.
Fist thing first, I still want you to join the Nonzero Club and loan US$ 25 to a selected third world entrepreneur. I will reimburse you this amount of money when we meet later.
The idea of my column on Ppaper Business is not to introduce Kiva but to get more people to take action and become Kiva member. Richard, if you don’t take action and loan the US$ 25, you are not the person who will start a business for the good of society. It is not the money it counts, it is a way to know yourself. Why did you not loan this US$ 25 when you got excited about Kiva? This self reflection will teach you to know yourself. On the other hands, after learning this about yourself, you got involved with Kiva and loan US$ 25 and become a proud Kiva loan giver. You are on your way to do great things in the future. You are thinking and doing things differently.
Now, you know how our youth’s attitude about starting their own business. People just got infomation on what’s cool, not many of them actually take action and participate. Only through the personal experience in Kiva and engage with these poor entrepreneurs seeing them to be successul ( repaid the loan ), you will get a sense of joy and know you are a good man.
Look the mirror and change the man inside.
Yes, I know there is legal issue on this. Kiva has even more problems in the States. However, they set up it as a non-profit and got into a gray zone when they started. Now, they have in house legal advisor to guide them to comply with the law.
I also know 104 boss in Taiwan has the similar concept but poorly designed and poorly executed. Prosper has been shut down due to the for-profit nature of the business and the high deliquency rate.
Kiva is micro loan to the real poor people through other partners in the field. The repaid rate is so high that it has become a golden standard. They can make US$5.0 million loan a month now. What a accomplishment?
My good friend, Wendell, told me the culture thing is in the way. Taiwan is a low trust society. We are too smart to trust anyone. Please take a look on Kiva’s member list. They are all normal people with middle class income. They are happy beacuse they want to share happiness. I believe we have enough this kind of people in Taiwan. We just need to find a way to release this powerful intention. Your talent in web design and system implementation could be a great asset for us to launch a great web based social entrepreneur. Are you that good?
Kiva is a concept. we can leverage this concep to build a web based platform to help people lift their poverty or any other causes.
Be the change,
Ping
www.pingchu.com
www.twitter.com/pingchu
Please visit my blog and get to know me better before we meet.
Dear Ping,
I feel glad and really appreciate your reply. I’ve been once afraid that you might be unwilling to talk to such a young guy.
Today, I’m delighted to tell you that I’ve almost made my first loan on Kiva.org. To be frank, when I read your mail this afternoon, I felt a little embarrassed since I forgot that the most important thing is to participate. Thank you again for reminding me what really counts. It gave me a chance to know more about myself.
The experience of making loan is fun as well. I spent about three hours browsing the site and tried to find out the ideal entrepreneur. I chose a herbal seller in Ghana, which is a country I’ve never heard before, as my first try for I believe if I can help him, he can help other people in need in his country. That is, he can spread the goodness.
I even told my father about Kiva. He also consider it workable and was amazed by such an idea. My dad is a good man. He has donate to the charity every year. What’s more, he decided to make his first loan with me. He chose three brothers in Cambodia because he find a dream in their eyes.
However, when we want to check out. We encountered a problem that we have no paypal account. Soon as we finished signing up an account, we still need to wait for the credit card verification.
I’m looking forward to make my first loan. I’ll write more about how I feel after I successfully help other entrepreneurs in the third country.
By the way, I read a part of your blog, and would like to have a copy of daymaker. Could it be possible for me to get one in any bookstore or it’s only available in Aveda?
Best Regards,
RR
Dear RR:
“He chose three brothers in Cambodia because he finds a dream in their eyes.” Kudos to your dad for me.
It is occasionally having met a reader like you that made all my efforts worthwhile. You are my Daymaker today.
I also spent lots of time to find the right entrepreneurs to loam my money too. It is a really fun experience. You know you have been a responsible global citizen through your own effort. The world is always changed by these small group of enlightened people.
I, especially, love to know that you got your father interested in this endeavor. It must be a great father and son bonding. You will get your Paypal account soon and you will be able to explore more and help more people.
You are right on that the participation is the only way to learn. Let’s refuse to be a silent observer and let our life passing through in front of our eyes.
You can purchase Daymaker book only from Canmeng Aveda store and network. Please check http://www.canmeng.com/?p=stores for location. Thanks for your support.
Please keep Daymaker movement alive.
Love,
Ping
Katherine Young interviewed me several months ago. We spent quite a long time together and I was struck by her thoroughness and professionalism. I just found out that that interview has turned into this brilliant cover story in Centered on Taipei magazine (May 09). Thank you, Katherine, Roma Mehta and Emily McMurrinfor helping us to tell our story.
————————————————————————–
Meet The Ripplemaker
Text: Katherine Young, Images: Emily McMurrin
Yes, a ripple maker I will be,
as I cast these thoughts to you…
Pick your pebbles carefully,
Cause you’re a ripple maker too!
Denise Lanford
Meet the Daymaker
At a recent birthday dinner at Nonzero, I observed owner Ping Chu, stylishly outfitted in black and white, as he played consummate host to a group of forward thinking movers and shakers in Taipei. While skillfully engaging and tending to his guests, he made time to periodically slip back to us, nestled in a back corner, usually with someone on his arm that he wanted to make sure we “knew.” When, in the course of one of these forays, he got wind of our celebration, he grinned widely and disappeared, only to return shortly after with a decadent double chocolate cake.
Mind you – this was my first introduction to Mr. Ping Chu.
Days later in our correspondence to arrange a meeting, I beheld, under his name: “Businessmaker, Daymaker, Ripplemaker.”
You can’t help but smile when reading that, can you?
So, who is this man and where do such titles come from? After several hours with Ping and Centered editor, Roma Mehta, I feel as though I am just scratching the surface. He is indeed a maker of all sorts and through our conversations I gained a sense of this man-a man who prefers to rephrase the commonly asked, “How do I balance work and life?” to what is in his mind a better question: “How can I integrate work and life?” He spoke at a conference in November about ‘making a life rather than making a living. “ With this in mind, he aims to create sustainable and holistic businesses, where ultimately, the business doesn’t actually need him to proceed, allowing Ping to realize what he termed as his primary goal when he entered this realm – freedom. By all counts it seems to be working. He still manages without a mobile phone – though he admitted the recently unveiled iphone is awfully tempting.
Ping has arrived at his views through vast business experience and travel, paired with exacting analysis and appreciation of what works and what doesn’t in practice. A consummate storyteller, we reveled in fascinating snippets of his life, in particular, those that have shaped his values and views.
When Ping discovered the Beatles and the world they inhabited while in high school, his desire to travel was piqued. After completing his degree in Taiwan, he went stateside to do a BS in Pharmaceutical Science; at this point he thought he was all set – “I’m a pharmacist” rolled easily off the tongue. But then came a critical twist in his life – his father became ill. He put all on hold, returned to Taiwan and spent six months with his father in the hospital. In that suspended space between life and death, he found himself questioning five more years in school and a life that was, “all set.” When his father passed away, his obligations were few, and so he set out on a year of wandering. Through the United States and Europe his travels took him, and in that time, he clarified his decision not to return to his pharmacy program, or as he put it, “to step off the treadmill” and avoid the “salary trap.”
Meet the Businessmaker
Even at that time Ping was drawn to products of quality, particularly a certain black and white bottle that raised the standard on any hair care products he’d previously used. As I gazed at Ping in his elegant black jacket with its mandarin collar and crisp three button white shirt, I easily envisioned him and his excitement upon discovering the likes of Paul Mitchell, a new company offering a philosophy of hair care and real style. He paused here in the story, inspired by these memories it seemed, to offer a bit of advice to the young: Enrich your life experience for you never know what will happen. Replace the fear of uncertainty with curiosity. Ping was curious about that black and white bottle and what it represented, and so he became a Paul Mitchell enthusiast, and it seems Mr. Mitchell reciprocated!
His seemingly simple decision to use these products led to a rather extraordinary string of events. While trying out a string of jobs in the United States, from waiter to salesman, Mitchell asked Ping if he would bring his line to Taiwan. The early stages were markedly humble – with stock lining makeshift shelves in his living room and his mother labeling bottles, he set out to introduce a philosophy of hair care that was diametrically opposed to the then Taiwanese approach of having your hair washed exclusively at the beauty parlor. Ping educated and illustrated how one must give, in order to get – in this case, he showed salons that by ‘liberating’ their customers and teaching them how to take care of their own hair, they could actually increase their income by focusing on more technical, work intensive processes. Ping knew at this stage that he wanted to create a business based on trust, community, common sense and honesty. He offered all the salons the guarantee that he would buy back any product that they didn’t sell, and he brought in sales people who wanted to be part of a team. He paid them a salary, rather than making it contingent upon sales, and created the idea that success was not based on the “master sales person” but rather the integral functioning of all involved in the process. This idea that success is shared by all continues to define his businesses today.
Over time, he developed a friendship with Aveda founder, Horst Rechelbacher, who came to Taiwan annually when sourcing products. With similar philosophies and interests, theirs was a natural fit. The rest is history.
Long before Nonzero’s arrival, Ping had loved the idea of opening a restaurant that would translate the philosophy of Aveda into the culinary arena, but had no practical knowledge or idea how to approach it. He envisioned a community eatery that focused on taste through the use of organic foods, and that highlighted an aesthetic presentation.
Nonzero, now two years old, has undergone several transformations since it opened, and if you haven’t visited lately, you’ll be tantalized when you do. Gazing at the restaurant and street front, my eyes dart back and forth – do I believe what I am seeing? Allowing my eyes to linger, I realize that the street is in fact quite lovely. Upon designing his office on this narrow alley – there is an Aveda Salon on the street as well – Ping resolved to, “stop complaining how ugly Taipei is and do something about it.” With that, he gave his designer free reign to emphasize the outside view, the goal being to offer “a gift to the neighbors.” The ripple of this action inspired the health food store/restaurant across the street to make their own effort to beautify the block by placing a table and benches outside their shop. Now, the rest of us get to revel in a quaint stretch of downtown Taipei, complete with an outdoor iron sculpture. When the corner building (now Nonzero’s location) opened up, the owners, residents on the street and witnesses of the street’s transformation, approached Ping, “I want you to have it. I’ll wait for you.”
Ping put the idea out into the universe as only a good ripplemaker can and in due time met the critical component, an experienced restauranteur, who could help him transmit the dream into reality. “I have a great space,” he told him – “help me.” Nonzero was born. He has dreamt into reality the most prepossessing watering hole. The style, be it shabby chic, rough luxury or recycled beauty, is tasteful and accommodating. Glass shelving shows off French porcelain and serves to divide the two rooms, while natural light streams in. Both intimate and larger community style tables grace the restaurant, the latter crafted from handsome pieces of wood and stay true to Ping’s vision of offering ‘liked minded’ a meeting point to engage and share ideas.
The day’s vegetables are on display in an open refrigerator at the back, and recently our waiter encouraged us to peruse the offerings before selecting, reminding me of meals in a rustic Italian trattoria. All produce is sourced locally, and much boasts special distinction– organically grown by Pierre Loisel – on the menu. Ping’s experience of the last two years has inspired some changes both in the physical layout of the space and the menu. We were there recently for the latest unveiling, which continues to include all dishes ala carte and as well as set menus for 700nt, 900nt and 1500nt. Our appetites were sated and our taste buds tickled with the 700nt menu: homemade bread for dipping in a beautiful French olive oil and aged Italian balsamic; hearty mushroom soup; traditional Panzanella (Italian bread salad); perfectly cooked risotto (free range chicken or local mushroom) followed by an Aveda like herbal tea infusion. As local Taiwanese mushrooms were the specialty of the day, we also opted to savor one grilled. It arrived on a rustic wooden cutting board accompanied by a pungent pepper spread. The elegant simplicity of the food; the thoughtful service, including a visit from the able chef; the warm atmosphere – they all intertwine so seamlessly that we shook our heads in disbelief when we finally wandered out late into the evening.
Meet the ripplemaker.
Ping expressed gratitude often for the luck that he has had in his life; certainly, luck has played a role, but infused, no doubt, with a forward thinking approach to business and living. Aveda has a dedicated and ‘critical number of customers that support it,” allowing him to engage and support many other ideas and beliefs close to his heart, Nonzero being one of them. The soiree when I first met Ping was, in fact, part of his broader vision to inspire intellectual discourse in Taipei. And indeed the group that night gathered together, around his community tables, sharing ideas and discussing the future. He takes this quest on in many ways-his blog, his restaurant, his involvement in BQ (the Big Question) and his support of TEDxTaipei. Through each he aims to inspire active communication and dialogue and to raise consciousness. Kindly, he has also provided a venue where such folk can convene.
The effects from Ping’s beliefs and actions seem to be reaching greater distances these days. His blog reads – Be inspired Get involved Take action – he certainly seems to embrace this credo on a daily basis.
.
.
.
To be of use
The pitcher cries for water to carry
and a person for work that is real.
– Merge Piercy –
.
.
.
Eco- preneur (環保創業人)
看了Dave Smith的部分中文稿 (我特別在google Book Search上讀了他的原文)，我心中不但激動不已，更馬上想到一個我的Creative Action Hero (創意行動英雄)－Pierre Loisel劉力學先生 (《有機心生活》，咖啡田文化出版)。
這篇推薦序是我向劉力學致敬的短文，也是我向全台灣有機農人致謝的努力。坦白說，我並不知道Dave Smith，但我對他的另一個合夥人Paul Hawken卻是非常熟悉，他的書《商業生態學 》(The Ecology of Commerce，新自然主義出版)，是永續企業經營倫理的啟蒙書之一。
我真希望有更多人開始認識Dave Smith與Paul Hawken。這些創業人的人生歷程，他們沒有建立不得了的世界級大企業，但他們卻是許多新一代Eco-preneur (環保創業人)的典範英雄。
除了精采的前半段關於Dave的半自傳外，Dave跟我們分享了他對自己的慶幸：
『我很慶幸我這一生都能將我的專長、價值觀和人生目標充分運用在我選擇的工作中』。
最重要的是Dave一再一再的提醒我們每一個人，我們都有這種自己創造自己命運的覺醒，關鍵在於「我選擇的工作」。
小型在地企業
Dave告訴我們：
『我最喜歡的職場是：懷抱某個社會目標或使命，能提供有用的產品與服務。也能為工作創造意義的「小型」企業。』
這也是我在經過二十年後，一直在實驗的挑戰。如何創造出這樣能獲利的「覺醒企業」 （Fred Kaufman的《Conscious Business》，天下文化出版），能讓每個人在自己選擇的工作中自我實現。我不能說我已找到了。但基本上我認同Dave所說的，沒有「缺席」的投資者（Absentee Ownership）的小型「在地」企業是比較容易永續經營這種覺醒企業（我特別不用「社會企業」一詞）。
我的好友劉力學是第一個用實際行動、科學實驗的精神與方法，提出台灣未來的一個出路：
用廚餘堆肥發展台灣的有機農業。
我在2005年肯夢AVEDA第一屆的悅日人節中曾頒一個悅日人獎給劉力學，讓他知道他是我們的創意行動英雄。在台灣我們有劉力學提倡跟Dave在這本書上所說的在地有機農人。劉力學跟Dave一樣都是永續農業的拓荒者及先驅。
Dave提出了社區認養農業的概念，用社區信合作社及直接公開發行股票給顧客、經銷商來籌資(Direct Public Offering，DPO)，「將食物跟消費者建立關係，不是跟市場維持關係」。因為網路、合購、認養、宅配等新的思維，相信Dave及劉力學的遠見，會成為目前大量化、工業化農業的另一種新興選擇。
Dave的書提醒了我們：
Eco-chic & Eco-intelligent 環保風格&環保智慧經濟
在1988年，剛從美國回台，我第一次去花蓮「鹽寮淨土」參加區紀復先生 (《愈少愈自由》，心靈工坊出版) 的簡樸生活，被區先生的發心發願所感動。但我也向他提出我對簡樸生活的不同看法。每一個人對簡樸的定義不同，而且不可能每個人每天都能過區先生的簡樸修行生活。但只要我們能從不污染身體開始，我們就不會污染這個地球。因此只要我們儘可能不用以石油為主的化學合成產品，我們就會減少污染身體，地球也會有修復的機會。我不認為這是零和遊戲(Nonzero Sum Game)。
Fashion、愛美不是壞事，是一種自我表現，讓自己與眾不同（在原始社會即有這種fashion statement），或讓自己認同某一種身分及價值（我知道我在為自己的事業強辯）。但真正的事實是我們要讓下一代的年輕人，能從「愛」、從「美」、從「設計」、從「創意」中接受這種不污染自己即不污染地球的「利己」(self-interest)開始。我無法要求我女兒過區先生的簡樸修行生活，除非她有一天發心發願，自己決定。最後，我與區先生達到默契，我們用不同的生活方式、不同的消費選擇，達到共同的目的，讓地球能有修復的機會。
二十年來，我一直在實驗如何讓我團隊的工作夥伴有合理的薪資、透明的財務、20%利潤分享，把生活跟工作結合，雖然公司沒有賺到大錢，但一直維持「慢」成長，而我也一直堅持新創獨立的小型企業，不求大、不求快，做自己專長、有熱情的事。
我相信會有愈來愈多有才氣的人會進入在地小型企業，先選擇降低對財富、名望、物質的需求，才能不求百萬年薪、股票選擇權。但堅持能用到自己的專長，發揮自己的熱情，能創造更高的社會、環保意義。
重要的是，我們的社會有沒有足夠的這種覺醒在地小企業。
如果沒有，為什麼不由您開始呢？
謝謝您Dave、劉力學、區紀復 － 我們的創意行動英雄。