Practising Mindfulness

1. FADE IN

2. 
   

3. Act 1

4. 
   

5. EXT. LAKESIDE -15:30

6. 
   

7. Walking along a path, PETER sees a Yellow Poui in a distance.

8. 
   

9. PETER (V.O.): Oh, the tree's bright yellow flowers are in full bloom.

10. 
    

11. Peter walks towards the tree.

12. 
    

13. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): A week ago, there're fewer flowers.

14. 
    

15. Walking.

16. 
    

17. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's only this March I've taken notice of the Yellow Poui.

18. 
    

19. Pausing.

20. 
    

21. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My habitual response in March has been to see Sakura blossoms in Japan.

22. 
    

23. Pausing.

24. 
    

25. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Having watched this year's Flower Show in Hong Kong three times, I've opened my mind.

27. Act 2

28. 
    

29. EXT. LAKESIDE - CONTINUOUS

30. 
    

31. Arriving, Peter begins to appreciate the flowering Yellow Poui.

32. 
    

33. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The flowers outnumber the leaves.

34. 
    

35. Pausing.

36. 
    

37. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The symmetrical funnel-like flowers are like wind chimes.

38. 
    

39. Pausing.

40. 
    

41. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I know the tree is symbolic of life, death, rebirth and of productive and reproductive powers.

42. 
    

43. Pausing.

44. 
    

45. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But it reminds me of a Chinese proverb "明日黄花" (flowers that fade tomorrow).

46. 
    

47. Pausing.

48. 
    

49. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The proverb emphasizes the importance of cherishing the present moment and not taking things for granted.

50. 
    

51. Pausing.

52. 
    

53. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The English equivalent is "Here today, gone tomorrow".

54. 
    

55. Thinking.

56. 
    

57. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Appreciating what I've today is important.

58. 
    

59. FLASHBACK

60. 
    

61. INT. LIFT - DAY (YESTERDAY)

62. 
    

63. As the door opens, Peter sees a MAN and a WOMAN. Peter steps back as the woman assists the MAN with a stick to get inside.

64. 
    

65. PETER (V.O.): Oh, it's good that he can still walk.

66. 
    

67. Recalling.

68. 
    

69. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Yesterday at the lobby, I saw him using a wheelchair.

70. 
    

71. Pausing.

72. 
    

73. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I haven't seen the man for several months.

74. 
    

75. Observing.

76. 
    

77. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): He's carrying a medical bag too...

78. 
    

79. Observing.

80. 
    

81. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's great that he's maintaining his ponytail hairstyle.

82. 
    

83. EXT. GOLDEN BEACH - EARLIER

84. 
    

85. Peter is swimming.

86. 
    

87. PETER (V.O.): Although the water is still cold, I love to do more while I still can.

88. 
    

89. RETURN TO PRESENT

90. 
    

91. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When I was young, I focused on planning and executing for my future.

92. 
    

93. Pausing.

94. 
    

95. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I thought I had all the time in the world and tomorrow couldn't die.

96. 
    

97. Pausing.

98. 
    

99. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But now, time has become very precious to me, and I won't waste it. Tomorrow isn't guaranteed.

100. 
     

101. Act 3

102. 
     

103. EXT. LAKESIDE - CONTINUOUS

104. 
     

105. Holding his smart phone, Peter is finding an angle.

106. 
     

107. PETER (V.O.): Decluttering my mind, I've been stepping away from my habitual responses to everyday life.

108. 
     

109. As the shy sun shines at the Yellow Poui, Peter captures the moment.

110. 
     

111. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Being aware of what's happening right now enables me to be fully present in nature.

112. 
     

113. Reflecting.

114. 
     

115. PETER (V.O.): Practising mindfulness is a way to befriend with my experience and myself.

116. 
     

117. FADE OUT

118. 
     

119. THE END