Big Fish Small Fish
November 3, 2009That where and when we were born already determines for us what we can and cannot do, what doors are opened and what doors are closed to us. That our birth determines for us through what lens we see the world already. The potential of our dreams.
What it means to be born rich or poor. What it means to be born a boy or a girl. What it means to be born Chinese, or Malay, or Caucasian; Asian, or African, or European; Singaporean, or Filipino, or Bangladeshi, or British , or American. What it means to be born impaired. What it means to be born in a third-world country.
Big Fish Small Fish
Big Pond Small Pond
Big Dreams Small Dreams
I’m not saying that we should not dare to dream but that we should be more realistic at the same time. First we learn to crawl then we walk then we run then we fly. That we should be more aware of our world and what it allows and does not allow us to do. To analyse, recognise, and then accept the situation we are in before we are ready to move on. Acceptance. Of our freedom, our boundaries; our possibilities, our limitations. To be “free in the captivity of freedom”. Or to have the “liberty of limitations”? I know “Slumdog Millionaire” is an inspiring movie and it still is. But how many “Slumdog Millionaires” are there?
So the next time you see me, don’t ask me why Singaporean actors cannot compete with Hongkong actors or cannot break into the Hongkong market, and why Hongkong actors cannot then easily break into Hollywood. Don’t ask why the S-League cannot compare to the English Premier League, nor why Singapore hosted the SEA Games and China hosted the Olympic Games. Don’t ask why we have different skin colours or eye colours. The answer is simple. It’s not whether we are necessarily better or worse in terms of quality but that we live in vastly different conditions, cater to different markets, some only so big and some only so small, some lines can be crossed and some lines not, that certain things are already predetermined for us.
I’m not saying though that doors closed to us will forever be closed to us. A few of them, some of them can still be opened along the way. With enough determination, with more effort, with spirit, with correct method. There is that possibility. Since they say “nothing is impossible”, right? Right. I hate this “nothing is impossible” cliche by the way.
Do you want to be a Small Fish in a Big Pond? Or a Big Fish in a Small Pond?
Does the Small Fish belong only to the Small Pond? And the Big Fish only to the Big Pond?
Can the Small Fish one day make it to the Big Sea? Or the Ocean? And can the Small Fish survive?
Are you a Big Fish or a Small Fish?
No, you’re not belittling yourself when you say you’re a Small Fish; it’s a matter of relativity. No, you’re not getting everything just because you’re the Big Fish. What the Big Pond offers, the Small Pond might lack; but what the Small Pond has, the Big Pond might not.
That’s my “Big Fish Small Fish” story. That’s my “Big Fish Small Fish” theory. Of Dreams. And of Life.
What kind of Fish are You?
I think it’s getting a little Fishy out here.
Yup. agreed. Reality is reality. It’s always good to have big dreams, but we have to realistic.
I don’t mind being a small fish in a big pond, with other big fishes. I might be the odd one out but dreams should be fulfill one step at a time. It’s just that i will take a longer time compared to the rest. I’m competing with myself, not the rest.
And indeed, i’m a small fish. There’s nothing wrong admitting it. =)
“Since they say “nothing is impossible”, right? Right. I hate this “nothing is impossible” cliche by the way.”
Ha, same here. It is grossly quoted out of context. The bible verse is “For nothing is impossible with God.”
Luke 1:37 (New International Version).
I was at PS on 1 Nov. First time saw you in person. My objective observations – you were good, natural and sincere in your approach. Well done, Elvin. The part I like most was you said you hope to see a long line of people waiting to take photos with you. Haha, indeed the queue was long.
A journey of a thousand miles begin with one step, I think this is quite a common phrase. This one step will lead you to another step, another step but nobody knows how the steps will be like. So step by step we shape our destination. Along the way, there are stones, pebbles and rough path and we might tumble and if not careful might injured our feet.
As we tread along the path, do we just walk aimlessly, not knowing where we are going, what do we want.
As we set goals and ideas, that is what we call ‘dream’.
Dream can be big or small, idealistic or practical, pleasant or unpleasant. For example, a student may have the dream of scoring 7As before he sits for his examinatio,hoping to win a scholarship and maybe his dream of getting into a prestigious University, Harvard and Yales perhaps. It is a good dream if he is the intelligent type, it is achievable but if he is the not so intelligent type,then he is making an idealistic dream and might injured his inner man if he fails.
Few people make big, idealistic dreams and achieve it, only a small percentage to achieve their dream. Even after attaining their dream, maintaining to be there all the time is also a difficult task. Especially when it comes to business, it is hard to be the No.1 all the time due to harsh business environment but most people make effort to maintain their company competitiveness to stay there sometimes for a moment only or consistently there.
Singapore is a small nation and what we have achieve over the 44 years is remarkable, stunning all professors and economists all across the world. Though I always grumble that my nation is so tiny but our GDP exceeds that of China, India and Africa which are some of the biggest continents in the world. Beneath that grumbling lies a heart of thankfulness and pride that I am a Singaporean. What’s really chill me off in Singapore is the fine system. I just hated the fine system till today and I hope something better can be improvised. To me the fine system is like a cane waiting to cane me even I forget to put carpark coupons, forget to pay a fine etc.
Dreams can be individualistic or communal. Some people can also pass life without dream, no tension, no worries being mediocre. If this is best for them, no one can impose anything on them but as for communal dream, you just got to fall in. In the army, maybe your Captain set a goal for the team, the team got to fall in to that goal, no excuse. If the team fails because one guy who did not set his heart to attain that goal, then how would he be accountable to his sectional battalion. Does it make sense to you, Elvin.
The pressure comes when people makes dream for us, then it is very tough and we even feel wanting to rebel and walkout of the team. But again it is better to see if it is a communal goal, if it is, then no choice.
Big fish, big ocean, yes. Whales cannot live in small equatorial condition type of sea, they will die. A whale as reported in Japan can feed more than a 1000 families and if for one family, it can feed them for one year if you know how to preserve the ‘meat’. Some fishes are made for certain places and climatic condition. You will find penguins in the South Pole and not in the North Pole.
Middle size fish in mid-size sea like South China Sea, Indonesian Sea, yes. Otherwise the big sharks will eat them up.
Small fish in small ponds for economy of scale reasons (in the economic sense). Otherwise the midsize fishes will eat them up. Whether the fishes are in their respective ponds, seas and oceans, it is fine.
As for the media, it is very cultural in nature. We will only go to markets of similarity and common understanding. A Chinese movie is best to enter the so call Chinese market. Hong Kong movies are flourishing because their long heritage and they got some of the best artistes there.
Not many Hong Kong artistes enter Hollywood because of cultural differences.
For someone to go on international market, he/she is carefully selected and groomed for that job. It is not meant for anybody to go on international market and be an international actor or actress. It is like out of a million, you find one to the max 5, but when the person is there, it deserves our accolades and praise.
Fann Wong is a classic example. It is a long and challenging journey for her I suppose when she first step out into the international market. You see one out of 4 million Singaporeans.
Do not feel pressure about these things, it is all in your growing process. When you are older, you will see things in a different perspective. Just keep on improving in your acting. Perfection comes through years of moulding, testing and practising. It also depends on how far you want to go.
I do have dreams but I’m not overly ambitious.
So perhaps to me being a “small fish” in a “big pond” doesn’t quite suits me, furthermore I’m not a v gd swimmer, i do have a little phobia of water and crowds. So why do i need to squeeze with the rest in the big pond. I believe I still can have my dream come true in my small pond. =)
Why go into the international market to be an “extra” that only appear for that 1 min, when you can be a “lead” locally?
Singapore may be small, but we do have everything here! =)
p.s. Finding Nemo is a nice movie =p
I think i am an average fish, neither here nor there. I hope i can be a big fish one day. :)
I suddenly remember the big fish small fish game u taught some years back! :)
i like this post.. a bit inspiring to those are finding their way around.. thanks!
I want to be a small fish in a big pond first. Learn from the big fishes and adapt to a harsher environment.
After that, I will want to go and be a big fish in a small pond. Sharing what I’d learn with the other small fishes out there, and together, the small pond will grow to a big pond, and small fishes will grow to become big fishes.
=)
Hmm… what a fishy post… And why u didn’t mention Malaysian? Haha… Nvm I am considered a chinese.
In my opinion, there is no use competing Sg artistes with those from other places. For me, as a MediaCorp drama fan, I think only Singaporean actors and actresses give me the best drama and entertainment. Yes, true from my heart, deep inside.
Yes. Nothing is impossible. Even Obama, a non-white, can be the president of America and to be the among special one to be a Nobel laureatte. Everybody respects him. This is the best evidence.
So, there’s no difference between big and small fish. As long as u are contented in what you are doing, even to live in a small pond that lacks water, that’s enough. BE happy :)
Yongle aka rakuten98le
Whether its big fish or small fish, I think what’s more important is that we are happy. Its quite tiring to think so much at times. No?
Tks for sharing your enlightening/interesting story …I am not sure if I wanna be a BIG fish in a small pond cos I feel trapped (which is what I am feeling now in my job) …or a small fish in the BIG pond (cos I may get drowned)….it is this ‘do i stay or go’ feeling that intrigues us …. It will be good if one knows what one ‘wants in life and what one doesn’t want’. That may be a good starting point.
For sure, opportunities don’t come to all … once you have it, do grab it cos they may not come again. Like you, I don’t believe NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE cos some things are simply IMPOSSIBLE no matter how hard we try …. we are not being negative, we are being realistic. That’s life.
Some things are just not meant to be. No matter how much you desire to achieve the goal, if it’s beyond reach due to restraints, there’s no point trying too hard.
I think it’s every classical musician’s dream to perform at Carnegie Hall. Come to think of it now, It’d be a stupid lie to say I don’t want to. But, very few can make it there. A platform for only the best musicians in the world.
It doesn’t matter I cannot make it there. And I know it’s impossible. I’ll just youtube and admire them. Meanwhile, I’ll practice on my own, and try to attain reachable goals.
Etc. a diploma.
Therefore, I’m a small fish in a small pond. I’d like to go to a bigger pond, once I’m ready. =) Try playing at the hotel cafe or something.
I want to quote my secondary school subject:
From Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, 1601:
Malvalio:
In my stars I am above thee; but be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ‘em.
ok, I don’t like Malvolio, but what he said about greatness is true.
I believe that we are all on earth to fulfill our own special mission. To me, big fish, or small fish, doesn’t really matter at all.
but…
Hey, you never say you’re big fish or small fish? haha..
Hai, ask you for nothing, you also won’t reply one. >,<
I wonder why.
eerrmm.. hello! :)
my first time commenting on a person (whom i dont know well) blog.
haha. mmm.. i just randomly asking, coz i sometime wonder. how is it like to be a celebrity, or shld i say, famous?
and made you want to join showbiz?
just randomly asking though.. not hoping for answers either. haha. im being lame.
hi, i have send an email to elvinlogy mail and have no reply, elvin, may i ask u to help me check about it? thanks alot. really appreciated
i love the way (and of course the things) you write!!! (Y) so subtle yet so poignant!
It is better when you are a small fish because you are not so in the center of everything.It is better when you can do whatever you want to do and makes all dreams come true
“Nothing is impossible” I really hate this words too because some things are really impossible no matter how much effort or determination we put in it but this is life
Elvin,i really enjoyed watching your shows and honestly i think you have improved but showbiz is really complicated.
I hope U will be just regular person one day,not an actor,just the one who you really are,but the choice is
up to you,its just that U graduated from university and i felt very pity that U”ll be an actor because not everyone had the chance to study university.
I know many artistes graduated from university too but they are they and you are you.I hope U don get offended because im just stating my views.
Whatever you choose remember to follow your heart
To Chermayne
When I am dining in some hotel’s cafe with a musician playing their piano, guitar or cello, it really gives me a romantic and relax feeling after a hard day work. So playing in a hotel cafe is a great job. I have always wish I can play my guitar at the hotel’s lounge but I am really too busy with my work.
All the best to you.
Mmm….you never fail to put question marks (???) above my head after every blog entry of yours…..another ‘deep’ entry but i enjoyed it, very well written…..and an insight into your thoughts…and your last sentence is funny, put a smile on my face :)
yup, your entry reminds me of “Nemo” too….the sentence that wrote : can a small fish make it into the ocean. BTW “Nemo” is the only animation movie that i got out & bought the dvd immediately when it was out so that I can watch it again…just love it !
Mm, i’m the average fish…very contented to be a small fish…of course i don’t mind getting a bit ‘bigger’ but not becoming a big fish…
Oops, i missed a photo opportunity with you on 1 Nov? :( I didn’t know exactly what time you will be there (the ad in ST didn’t state the time that you’ll appear)..so I did’t go at all…:( any second chance for me to take a pix with you?? email me, ok? heehee, juz trying my luck….love to hear from you…
Take care, Mr Fish…:P
Hi Elvin, can I say ‘Anything is Possible’ instead? Yeah I do not agree to ‘Nothing is Impossible’ but I definitely believe ‘Anything is Possible’
I kinda have the same thinking as you, I’m also a realistic person. I do not waste time on things I think I am not up to it or if I think I do not have what it takes to be. I admire people who set goals and achieved it ultimately and of cos maintained it. But I think people who dare to dream of things that are far from reality are kinda naive or silly. I think one should know clearly one’s ability. But ironically, sometimes if you don’t try, you won’t know if you really can make it. Many people told me to try for many things, but due to my realistic self, I rejected. Sometimes I think being too firm and realistic is not actually a good thing, cos you might miss out alot in life?
btw Elvin keep it up! I can sense a tad of humor in your last sentence.
To Kim: Thank you for your encouragement. :) guitar ballads are nice, love story -i’m sure you know if you play classically. They suit the romantic and cosy atmosphere. Guitar’s a rare instrument to play at the hotel. Good luck to you too. :) who knows one day we can play as a duo. Btw, i’m a pianist.
Hahaha, “nothing is impossible” may sound cliche, but to me, that sentence is just an encouragement.
But in any case, this entry is really meaningful! :)
Interesting and inspiring! :)
Having O’s now is tough, but somehow, somehow after reading this entry, it gave me a feeling of encouragement to do my best for the rest of my papers. Thank you Elvin ng! Hehe. [:
HAd my eyes goggled and jaw dropped as I was reading this. I read intensely for twice, in order to understand adequately the actual hidden message it holds.
Being a big fish in a small pond, or a small fish in a big pond? Seriously, although I have dreams and am one of those dream catchers, I would rather be a small fish in a big pond.
As obtaining success in a big pond, as a small fish is rare. Whereas it’s as if destined for a big fish to be successful and rule the small pond he lives in.
So, why not be a small fish in a big pond, work hard, persevere and someday be the king of the large pond? Isn’t that something worth applauding?
My points of view stated may seem contradicting with one another, but I’m just expressing what I feel. =P
Elvin, have fun!
sometimes, the koi in the wealthy man’s pond regrets not being the minnow in the ocean, and yet the minnow does not, and never regrets not being the koi.
think about it. pressured to survive in the ocean, the minnow becomes stronger and bigger.
We venture…We explore…
We fall…We pick ourselves up again…
Routine continues.
Cos we DARED to dream!
hmmm….
small fish versus big fish …
tis a widely used cliché, that i find it a tad overused sometimes in reality
imo, i think its vital to “think outside the box” … the world is tooooooo fricken huge out there to be self-contained in our own lil box, in our own lil world
in california where i reside, i came to know alot of american born chinese and south east asians, includin malaysians and sometimes, a singaporean or two… comparin the thot process of american asians and local inbreds, there IS a distinctive difference… trend of thot, behavior, traits.. all pritty different
whatever it is.. it is strongly encouraged, i feel, to always widen our horizon with a broader thot process.. not stickin to old ways, and always be willin to move forward, trying new stuff
not being a stickler to old ways is the key imo
whatever it is, elvin, im shure you’d do well … success is all in the mind.. you ARE already successful in ALOT of ways.. there are thousands who’d want to be in YOUR shoes.. think about it =P
whoever makes stooopid suggestions, just smile, nod on and IGNORE.. lolz!!!
YOU ARE WHO YOU ARE.. YOU COMPARE YOURSELF WITH YOURSELF AND NO ONE ELSE!!!
^_________^V
♪♫¸¸.•*´`TAKE GREAT CARE OF YA!*´*•.¸¸♫.♪
The theory about the fishes which brings us to the underlying argument regarding meritocracy… But that’s another story for another time.
I think what makes the world go round is that there will always be a group of people content to be the small fishes in a big pond, just so they fall slightly under the radar and can go about life relatively unnoticed.
At the same time, there will also be the “superstars” – hankering for their 15 minutes of fame and seeking to be the big fish in a fairly small pond. They may be superstars where they rule but that isn’t necessarily an accurate reflection of the “real world”.
I digress, however.
At the end of the day, you may start out with a clear understanding of the type (or size) of fish you want to be. But people change.. and in time to come, who knows – you may even decide that being a fish just isn’t quite your thing :P
As long as you’re happy is all that should matter.
I only rem the big fish small fish game we played w elvin in 2005
Joel: we need ur email so can check with the moderators for you, pls pm me ur email
mine is sharonspoon@yahoo.com
i like how you honestly acknowledge what you see without making excuses for it.
i’ll like to be big fish no matter what pond or water im given to live with. we are not born with everything.. fingers also got short n long.. this i agree with you. we are all different. for me my theory will be to try my very best with whatever i have in hand and if i still fail… i have no regaret. at less i wont need to look back and said i’ve not try hard or say i must be lack of this n that or people around just dont see my effort kind of things.
why do you hate the sentance nothing is impossible? well, i can understand that it not ture in life. the use of it i guess is to tell you not to give up hope.. ahead there is more. in life.. one way cant work.. the other way sure will.. dont be not flexable and you’ll find your lack of this n that n cant move forward. just work with whatever you have.. and u’ll find you are moving forward as door open then you can move on to another door.. till you finially open the last door and u’ll be happy. if you jump steps or think to be faster.. while u dont have keys.. then is just as good as your knocking your head on the doors and wasting more time.
everyone knows that everyone is different. so is it meaningful to point it out? it doesnt move a single thing. sit down and wonder why n why.. i’ll rather.. see what i have to move on. you wont know.. there can be other way that can make you live better than a actor.
“Dare to dream. No matter how impossible your dream may seem, don’t lose that dream. Never lose that hope.”
Having said that, how realistic are our dreams? Are they attainable? Or are they just unpractical idealistic fantasies?
It is important to dream, it is important to aim, it is important to set goals, it is important to be hopeful, but it is even more important to be realistic.
Whether it’s big or small, only we ourselves know the value. Big doesn’t mean its value is high or vice-versa. They are not defined by other’s perception but our own. Love this post.
Order please, Fish n’ Chip!
this article relates coincidentally with the movie i just watched 2 hours ago; AVATAR. The movie shows clearly how the big and small ‘fish’ think of themselves sometimes, and how powerful u can get when all the small fish gather together and fight that ‘big’ fish who was supposed to be powerful and un-beatable. The male lead, Jake had a chance to choose to be the fish he wanted. in human form, he was powerless, a tiny small fish. But in AVATAR, he leads the best warriors and united all the other clans. Amazing movie which happens to fit into this article. interesting.
ultimately,you are what you think you are.
Well, if and when everyone knows his/her own calling… cos we are e happiest when we’re in e flow, in our calling. We wouldn’t b discontented, we wldn’t nd to end up in strife for things… ie. fight w others, engage in ptless office politics, or doing things tt wld b on yr conscience forever…
When we learn that, it doesn’t and wouldn’t matter if u’re a big/small fish in whichever pond cos u’re at yr happiest n realising yr potential of who u’re created to be.
Cheers, and have a blessed 2010 ahead. :)