I used to work as a personal assistant to Chin-Ning Chu, who was an international best-selling author. She was a guest on CNN and other channels many times, giving mostly business and political advice on Western relations with the East. Some of her books include: Thick Face, Black Heart; Do Less, Achieve More; and Working Woman's Art of War.
This lady was very focused and driven. She started out self published and was such a success on her own that she caught the attention of The Sacramento Bee, then The London Financial Times, then major traditional publishers. I ended up moving onto my own adventures after a year of working with her, because of the immense pressure I felt. I could have learned so much more if I was able to stick it out, but I was so intimidated and exhausted from the experience that I even had nightmares that she was coming after me in a canoe, followed by an army wearing traditional triangular hats.
So, while Googling my name today for the heck of it (haven't we all?), I found Chin-Ning had promoted me on her website. After I left my job position with her, I self published and spoke at a dozen different school assemblies as an author. She apparently found out about it from a local newspaper. I was really touched by finding this out. I'll explain further--I leasrned Chin-Ning passed away not too long ago from Cancer. I had always had this odd fantasy that one day, when she was old, I would feed her soup at her bedside. Although, I could not handle the pressure of working alongside her demanding schedule, I wanted to one day treat her like a cherished, long lost mother or grandmother.
Life is strange at times and can really surprise you. I was surprised and thankful that she had a place in her heart for my accomplishments, just as I had a place in my heart to care for her one day. She was an amazing, beautiful, independent woman and author.
Here's the link to her webpage. I'm #58 on her news list:
http://chu.iprx.com/index.php/press/
Sorry to hear about your former boss' passing. My prayers are for her eternal rest.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Mauie <3
ReplyDeleteWow, that is quite the endorsement. It's too bad she's not around to still talk to. But at least you had your time with her, however brief.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's too bad I didn't see her one last time. The times we had together were very important, though.
DeleteSome people surprises us.
ReplyDeleteThat is so true, Gaby. Thank you.
DeleteMolly you did well to stick it out for a year. Maybe she taught you the greatest thing possible, specifically what you didntt want for your life.
ReplyDeleteI had just today finished re-reading her book DO LESS ACHIEVE MORE and picked up her other book from my home library to re-read THICK FACE BLACK HEART. Never having seen her live, I thought to look her up on YouTube and was shocked to find that she passed on. And sadder to see they took down the only video of her.
ReplyDeleteI can't find anywhere that tells what kind of cancer she had. Sadly, your link to her site no longer works. I myself was late stage 3 cancer in 2016. Do you know what kind of cancer she had, Molly?
You were very blessed to have worked along side her. She had many admirable qualities.
But if she was that intense, I have to wonder if she lived under constant stress. That's what did it for me: constant stress for almost 10 years combined with anger and sleep deprivation. When diagnosed, my tumor was so large it was up against the wall of my colon, etc. about to metastisize.
Perhaps for Chin-ning it was simply genetics. She is sorely missed by the many who benefited from her many contributions she made in this life. May she rest in peace.
Thank you for sharing your story with us, Molly.
EDIT: "And sadder to see they took down the only video of her." I tried it again, and this time the video did appear: Women's Connection interviewing Chin-ning Chu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll_rI2bMG0Y
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