Jun 2013 I Feel Happy at Anytime and Anywhere
Wallace: I Feel Happy At Anytime and Anywhere
Three Trees Magazine (A school publication for their 5th anniversary)
June 5, 2013
Wallace Huo is an amazing person. Sometimes he is extremely self-affirmative and stubborn but sometimes he takes all things at ease. He used to give people an impression of being sensitive and a man of few words, but actually he loves to talk even to a degree of being deemed as a talkaholic. Chatting with him, no matter which topics, you’ll strangely feel that you’re being educated. Although he continuously emphasizes that his experience is ‘small and tiny’. Nonetheless, he likes to talk about his various life principles of what he has been through. Listening to his words and looking back to his career path, you have to admit that his words are a way to reflect his life long experience.
The interview with Wallace Huo took place several hours prior to his talk at the Foreign Economic and Trade University. With black down jacket, peaked cap, a blue scarf, a loose jean, ordinary sneakers, and a dry and red facial skin as a result of the northern wind of Beijing, he casually sited down and crossed his legs – he looked like someone who just came in for tea and a casual talk.
That evening at 7pm, Wallace gave a speech to the Foreign Economic and Trade University, but he refused to use the word ‘speech’. “You can’t say it is a speech or a presentation. That’s too much and I can’t do it. I’m not a teacher nor a professor, I’m not qualified to say something.” He stated the activity in the evening is only a ‘talk’. It’s just a free talk with various brothers and sisters within his position as an ‘ordinary person’ without any ring of light around. He said with a smile that he did prepare last night but now his head is blank. “I’m just like this. I can’t think of anything when I’m off stage. Inspirations come to me when I’m on stage.”
About the title on the poster at that day: A Man Who Turns Hardship Into Scenery, Wallace stated that title is ‘too big’ with his hands waving continuously after he heard of the title. Based on his understanding, hardship isn’t something a person must experience. It’s the same to him. It’s only because he is an actor and has the chance to acquire different life experiences. When the personality of each character penetrated into his own personality, he can have more life experiences than most ordinary people. “Of course I’m not in the 40s or 50s. I’m only 30ish. But I think I’ve had a few life experiences to share with them. That’s fine.” Of course, Wallace also wanted to take this chance for the students to understand him more as well as his entertainment circle. “I hope the students will know that we are different in person than in the screen. We have a life to live. We are working hard and struggling for our jobs. We’re planning for our future. I hope they’ll understand this is also a job. It’ll be similar to their jobs in the future. I’m just like any of you. There is no difference.”
Wallace was shocked when he heard about 500 to 600 people would attend the event. He made a gesture of getting up and leaving the place, “So many people, I better run away.” The room was filled with laughers. Although it was a joke, Wallace couldn’t hide his nervousness of having to face so many people. “It isn’t like my other press events. I didn’t feel stressful in those events. But to you as future leaders of the country, I feel stressful about it.” It had drew some suspicion that Wallace, who gives an impression of not knowing how to express himself, suddenly stated that he would come to the university for a talk show. Moreover, as Swordsman is airing on TV, it was inevitable that people associated that he as the male lead was using the event to promote the drama. Not only many of his fans said this isn’t what Wallace would normally do. It’s a strange thing similar to Linghu Chong acting as the chief master of Mount Heng. Before answering the question, Wallace smiled. Although he didn’t put on the hairband and costume, that smile was a Linghu Chong’s style of smile. “There is nothing as 'strange'. Strange is something you define yourself.” He said with a sharp tone. “I think this is something meaningful. I don’t get any benefit from it. But I feel it is something meaningful for them and me, and that’s enough. I don’t care what other people thinks why I’m here.” At that moment, it was hard to say whether Linghu Chong lived inside Wallace or Wallace and Linghu Chong had merged as one, both of them have that carefree personality in their blood.
Wallace stated he actually is similar to Linghu Chong, being led by destiny. So he can only stay at ease and it’s sufficient just to make decisions at critical points. With his peaceful and tolerating state of mind, Wallace’s learning in the jianghu of the entertainment circle has far exceeded Xu Changqing, the chief master of Mount Shu.
During the 2 hours interview, in order to sum up how many times Wallace had said ‘don’t care’, ‘not a problem’ and ‘don’t concern’, we’re afraid we might have to use a statistic program for it. The way he said those words sounded familiar. After giving it a thought, we got it. They’re the simplicity of that ordinary nobody in “Love At First Fight”, the air of detachment of the extraordinary capable and talented character in “Chines Paladin 3”, the bravery of the paladin in “Strange Hero Yi Zhi Mei”, and as well as the easy and carefree of the prodigal paladin in “Swordsman”. He has achieved his wish of ‘growing together with his characters’. The old saying says a prime minister’s mind should be broad enough for polling a boat. But Wallace’s mindset can poll a submarine. Stars inevitably will encounter comments, discussions, misunderstanding, criticizes, as well as accusations. None of these will stir up the moods of Wallace Huo in present days.
This mind training needs a process. Wallace had experienced a period of time in which he went into hiding under the influence of critics. During that period of time he only participated in acting and seldom showed up in front of the media. As such he was given a nickname of “mountain cave person”. The Wallace at that time was so much different from the present day Wallace, in which he mocked himself of having a low IQ while eating his ice cream to fill up the energy level.
His 180 degree makeover is accumulated from the little changes during his 10 years of acting career. Li Yashou in “Love at First Fight” is a turning point. “He only wants to be happy in his life. He is even more carefree than Linghu Chong. Everyday he is happy as long as he can eat, drink, fight and chase the girl he likes.” Li Yashou’s optimistic attitude changed Wallace’s outlook on life during the few months of filming. “I want to learn from him about happiness. Life is short. I’ve have passed 30 unknowingly. The next time we see each other again could be a few years later. Since it is so short, I should live a better life each day.”
Another turning point is his mentor, Liu Kai Chi, a Hong Kong Film Awards winner veteran actor. In the eyes of Wallace, he is not only his master in “Strange Hero Yi Zhi Mei”, but also is a respectable elder in the showbiz. When Wallace consulted him about acting what he got from him was advice full of meaning: Every person has his/her own way of acting. You don’t need to learn acting. You only need to learn how to better yourself. Learn how to face those fair and unfair situations. Stop complaining and do your work. I hope you will never complain and start to make things happen. His words came when Wallace was still a young man, and suddenly made him feel refresh and filled with wisdom. “You can demand yourself; But you can’t demand other people. You can’t expect people to be the same as you.”
Embracing this attitude, Wallace started to re-judge the environment he is in. Like he said, think in other people’s shoes. There are actually nothing you can’t tolerate or even say you hate it. Wallace even sees from a different angle about the topic of ‘being used’ that worries the stars the most. He sees it as an affirmation of himself. “If you want to take advantage from me, that’s fine. That only proves that I’m valuable. If you don’t have any value that people can use, it’s your problem. The so called actors, artists and stars generally will care about whether they are being used. I don’t worry about this. If I have nothing for them to utilize, that proves I’m a total loser.” As compared with this, the troubles from encountering troublesome working partners and fans who chase him and give all sorts of strange suggestions are really minor. Wallace has a way to handle them easy.
Troublesome working partners?
“I’ll try to cooperate. Does it mean if I cooperate a bit I won’t have the next play?”
About people who ask for autograph and photograph?
“They shoot you because they like you. Not because they think you’re good looking.”
About mails with strange suggestions?
“I don’t accept because they don’t understand. They only say it based on what they know about the rules of stars. But I don’t mind about it.”
Wallace Huo at present days has a detached and self-affirmative attitude towards his work. He doesn’t mind about not being “red” (a symbol of success). He is even suspicious about the definition of “red”. “Red” or “not red” isn’t his goal for working in this business sector. Thinking of how to make him even more popular to him is a joke. “I know how to make myself even more popular. How about if I run on the street naked? Won’t a picture make headline immediately? But that isn’t what I want: to live a meaningful life.” What is living a meaningful life about? Many people have kept searching for an answer to this unveiled question. But Wallace seems to give a straight-forward answer to this abstruse philosophy question. Happiness and Simplicity. Simple makes happiness. This is the true meaning of living his life.
Wallace lives a simple life. When he is busy, a plate of dumplings and a bowl of soup shall make it. When he isn’t filming, he browses the streets and eats alone. In his normal days, he has a sense of “every hour and moment of happiness”. His interpretation of happiness is also simple but it makes your heart feels warm. “Breathing fresh air, bathing under the sun, browsing along the streets, and enjoying a piece of quietness is called happiness. Buying a million dollars car and living in an expensive house is called happiness. There are different kinds of happiness. But we should make happiness simple. Material things aren’t that important. The most important thing is you’re still alive. You can walk with your legs. That’s happiness. Happiness is actually quite simple. I feel happy everyday. Now I have fans who like me. That’s happiness. This isn’t about the vanity of the mind. It is more about what you say might have an influence on what they think life is about. I feel I’m happy about that.”
This isn’t what a 30ish years old person should think about the meaning of happiness. But to a person who has defined his job in the showbiz as “self entertainment and self enjoyment’, it makes you believe this person is surely immersed in a sugar water like happiness at any time and anywhere. Although you can’t see it, but based on his rising intonation, lively gestures as he spoke, plus laughing now and then, you can feel that touch of sweetness.
This attitude of plain and simple happiness is a precipitation of Wallace’s path up to the current days. Many years ago when he came to the Mainland to start his acting career, he felt he was disadvantaged in front of the Mainland Chinese artists since he didn’t receive any professional training on acting. To improve his acting skills, Wallace can’t remember how much he had done in private. Embracing an attitude of “failure is gain”, Wallace slowly has stepped up the stairs at a bow stance. Once he was worrying but he is starting to realize this kind of worrying is meaningless. “Life is a risky journey. But if you don’t try how will you know it is a risk or a gain? If you think of the bad side you’ll think it is at risk. But the outcome can be different. To do something don’t think of whether it will be a risk or a gain. It’s useless to think that way. It is just enough to know whether you’re fulfilled.” But the word “simplicity” to Wallace is only a mental attitude to maintain happiness. It isn’t a about a one track-minded way of thinking. On one hand, he is extremely self-aware and confident because he understood himself. He insists on his understanding and stubbornness when it comes to filming. On the other hand, he doesn’t mind to make some sacrifices and concessions to make his fans happy. He laughed at himself “Sometimes I’m stubborn and sometimes not. It’s a dilemma.” When it needs to be simple stays simple. When it needs to be complicated stays complicated. But uses a simple heart to confront situations. This is probably the biggest secret of Wallace in maintaining a happy mindset at any time and anywhere.
It is fortunate to get to know Wallace in the present days. Because now he is like a money boy and is more willing to share “happiness”, this most treasured thing, with people around him. “Isn’t it good to make people happy? Happiness is an energy. Maybe I didn’t say anything but if they’re happy to see me such as ‘can I have an autograph’, I’m more than willing to do it.” Wallace ‘s words sound like a promise. To him unless the artists are known internationally, the influence is small. The best an actor can do is to play a character. People can’t see him in person easily. He can only influence his fans. As such, Wallace feels that if his work and himself can bring happiness to people as they chat away in free times, this is the value of his hard work. “This is like doing a good deed.” he laughed, “I’ll be more fortunate in my next life and become an even better person.” Maybe he doesn’t need to wait for the next life. Following his simple way to live and to feel happy about life, maybe one week or one year later we will all become better people. This is an expectation that we should believe in. It is similar to believing the sun will come out from the sky in the east and gush out a bright light. We’ll be overflown with happiness and be better people.
Q: Does it bother you that you’ve been asked questions related to Linghu Chong and Swordsman repeatedly in recent interviews?
A: No. We have our work, they have theirs. Of course there were silly questions but that didn’t bother me. It’s you being silly, not me. Sometimes I think questions from the media aren’t intellectual. But that won’t concern me if you want to put yourself in that shoe. It’s up to you.
Q: Nowadays many people want your autograph. People are screaming when you join an event. Do you think you’re now a successful person?
A: I’ve never though of this. I was just thinking, ah, I’m doing my best to sign. If my appearance will make people happy, I’m willing to do it. I’m willing to sacrifice my personal time to make people happy. But I don’t think I’m a successful person. I’m too far from it.
Q: What type of people do you think is a successful person?
A: In my heart they should be littérateurs, entrepreneurs, scientists, or architects. It’s something out of reach for me. I think they are the real successful people. I can only do limited things as an actor. It’s just acting and be responsible for myself. Frankly speaking, it is about having a good design of your characters and being responsible for the crews. It’s quite simple in comparison. Think about it, an architect can put up a building and a designer can design a blueprint. These are all mighty tasks. They surely can’t be seen (in public) all the time, unlike us who have exposure on the screens. I watched some programs about doctors who make volunteer work in some villages. They offer health checks for free. I think they’re mighty people. To me actually ordinary people are more magnificent.
Q: You’ve set high standards for yourself. If you meet people who affect the progress at work, what attitude will you use to treat them?
A: We artists generally take 3 months to film a drama. The progress is tough. If not everyone is happy, it is a hell without walls. It’s like living in hell and so you must learn tolerance. I think if we can work together as a team, it’s because we are destined in our last lives. If I bump into those demons and ghosts, or people who only want troubles or being selfish, it’s ok for me. Not a problem. I’ll still be happy around other people and he’ll be isolated. We don’t need to isolate him on purpose. It is himself who wants to be isolated. Let him be in his own grief. We’ll still be happily working, dinning together, having fun, chatting, filming together and living together. He can’t influence us. You must have a tolerating heart. It rests on your own confidence, at a high confidence level.
华说 “随时随地，我都很幸福”
三棵树杂志
6月5日2013年
霍建华是一个很神奇的人。他有时候极其的固执自我，有时候又似乎把一切都看的云淡风轻；他曾经给人敏感寡言的印象，但实际上他爱说话到了略微话唠的程度。和他聊天，不管谈到了什么话题，总莫名有一种被教育了的感觉，虽然他一直强调自己所有的经验都是“小小的”“一点点的”，但不可否认的，他乐于谈论自己亲身实践过的各种人生大道理，听着这些话，往回看他一路的演艺经历，不由得承认他的话，的确是某一方面的“现身说法”。
采访的时候，正是霍建华要去对外经贸大学进行交流的前几个小时，黑色羽绒服，鸭舌帽，围着藏蓝色围巾，一条松垮垮的牛仔裤，普通的球鞋，脸颊的皮肤在帝都的北风里干燥发红，就往那随意的一坐，翘起二郎腿——一副出来喝个下午茶顺便闲话一下家常的样子。
就在当晚七点，霍建华将面对对外经贸大学上百学生进行一场演讲——他很坚持不用演讲这个词。“不能说这是一个演讲，或者一个演说，这个太大了，做不了，我不是一个老师，也不是一个教授。我没有资格去说什么东西。”他称晚上的活动为谈”，以一个没有光环的普通人甚至是他给自己的定位“平凡人”的身份，与一群弟弟妹妹兴起所致说到哪是哪的谈话。他笑说虽然昨天晚上有准备，但现在自己脑袋却是一片空白。“我每次都样，台下我什么都想不出来，上了台反而有时会有一些灵感。”
至于那个当天印在海报上的主题：把磨难走成风景的男人。霍建华听了连连摆手直说这个标题“太大了”。在他的理解里，磨难不过是每个人都必须经历的程，他自然也是一样，只是因为当了演员，有机会体验各种不同的人生，当每一个角色的性格渗入他自己的性格中，才使他多了比普通人更多一些的生活经验。“当然我现在也不是说四十岁、五十岁了，我也毕竟才三十出头。但是我觉得以我仅有一点点的我的人生历练和生活经验跟他们享，就最好了。”当然，霍建华也希望大学生们能借此机会更多的了解他，还有他身处的娱乐圈。“我希望让学生们知道，我们真正的人和他们认识荧幕上的人是有一个完全不一样的感觉。我们也是真实的生活着，为我们的工作辛苦着，也在奋斗着，为未来的人生规划着。希望他们明白这也是一份工作，就像他们以后要面对他们的工作一样。我跟你们是一样的，没有任何区别。”
听说有五六百人将会参与晚上的活动，霍建华吃了一惊，立马做出起身要走的姿势，“这么多人，我还是先走算了。”惹起房里一片大笑。虽然是一句玩笑话，但从来没有面对过这么多的人，霍建华始终难掩紧张，反而和我平常上通告不一样，上通告我觉得很简单没什么压力，但对于你们，你们是未来国家的栋梁。所以反而那份压力是在的。”总给人不善言辞印象的霍建华突然说要来和大学生对谈，事情自然招来质疑。而恰逢《笑傲江湖》播出时期，不免有人认为作为第一男主角的他不外乎是来校园里宣传戏或者来作秀。不仅如此，连许多他的影迷都觉得这事情实在太不像霍建华一贯的作风，甚至有点像《笑傲江湖》里令狐冲接任恒山派掌门一样，是一件让人不敢相信的“怪事”。回答之前，霍建华先笑了笑，虽然没有发髻没有穿上戏服，那一笑却俨然是“令狐冲式”的笑容。“现在没有什么事情是奇怪的，奇怪都是自己给自己下的定义。”他字字都说的铿锵。“这件事我觉得是有意义的，我从中得不到任何的利益，但我觉得，这对他们对我都有意义，那就够了，我不会在乎别人说我来这干嘛。”那一瞬间，真的说不出是令狐冲上了霍建华的身，还是这两位一古一今的人生游侠的确拥有相同的洒脱性格。
霍建华说他其实和令狐冲很像，都是被命运推着往前走。因此只能一切随缘，只要在关键的地方做出选择就足够了。一种超出年纪的平和与包容，霍建华在娱乐江湖里的修为，远超那个雪山之巅的蜀山掌门徐长卿。
在两个多小时的访谈里，霍建华说了多少次“不在乎”，“没关系”，“不介意”的话，恐怕要借助统计工具才数的出来。而他说这话的神态，总让人觉得熟悉，仔细一想，可不是嘛。《武十郎》里市井小混混的单纯；《仙剑奇侠传三》里世外高人的超然；《怪侠一枝梅》里江湖侠盗的无畏；还有就是《笑傲江湖》里浪子侠客的大气——他实在是做到了曾经说过的“要和角色一起成长” 的愿望。
俗话说宰相肚里能撑船，霍建华的心里——何止开的进一艘航空母舰。明星都会遭遇到的一切评价、讨论、误解、批判、甚至谩骂，这一些对现在的霍建华来说，都不是值得引起心情变化的事情。 但这种心境的磨炼始终是一个过程，霍建华也经历过对外界评论耿耿于怀而因此把自己隐藏起来的阶段。那个时候的他，仅仅拍戏，除此以外极少在媒体前露脸，因此还被影迷们封了一个“山顶洞人”的外号。那时的霍建华，和现在一边吃冰淇淋以补充脑力一边自嘲“当年 EQ 很低”的他，俨然就是两个人。
性格上 180 度的漂移过弯，在他长达十年的演艺生涯里却是一点点积累起来的细微变化。喜剧《武十郎》里的“李亚寿”一角在他看来就是其中一个节点，“在他生命中，只要每天开心，他可能比令狐冲还要更笑傲江湖一点。每天他只要能吃吃饭，喝喝酒，打打架，然后有喜欢的女孩子，他就很开心了。”李亚寿身上的乐观态度，在拍戏的几个月内改变了霍建华的人生观，“我要向他学习这么乐观。人生其实很短暂，不知不觉我也过了三十多年。搞不好我们再见面，又是几年以后。既然那么短暂，就应该要过好每一天。”
另一个节点来自于一位贵人：曾获得香港金像奖的资深演员廖启智。在霍建华眼中，他不仅在《怪侠一枝梅》中饰演自己的师傅，更是演艺路上难得的前辈。在霍建华向他讨教演戏的方法时，得到的却是他意味深长的教导：演戏每个人都有方法，你不要学演戏，学做人就好了。学会很淡定面对那些平等不平等的事情，不要去抱怨只要去做。希望你从不抱怨开始做。这一席话，对当时仍然年轻气盛，时常抱怨还有些冲动的霍建华来说，无异于醍醐灌顶。“一个人你可以要求自己，但是你不能要求别人，不能期望别人跟你变成同类人。”
正是抱着这种态度，霍建华开始重新审视身处的环境，如他所说，换个心态看，的确没有什么事情不能忍受或者说很讨厌。甚至，霍建华能换一个角度将演员艺人们普遍的担忧——被人利用——看成是对自己的一种肯定。“如果你想从我身上得到什么利益，那非常好，因为那证明我是有利用价值的。当你没有利用价值的时候，那是你的问题了。所谓的演员、艺人、明星都会担心自己被利用，我不会担心这个问题，如果我没有利用价值的话，那证明我太失败了。”与此相比，难相处的工作伙伴，比如粉丝的追逐以及他们关心则乱的某些奇怪建议这些圈外人仅凭想象就会觉得头大的麻烦事已然不算什么，霍建华自有他游刃有余的处理方式。
麻烦的对手？
“配合他就好了，难道我配合他一点会没有下一部戏可以拍吗？”
喜欢要签名和拍照的陌生人？
“人家喜欢你才拍你的， 难道真的看你帅啊。”
各种提古怪意见的信件？“我不会接受，因为他们不懂，而只是以片面的对明星的了解去说一些规划，不过我不会计较的。”
现在的霍建华以一种超脱而自我的态度对待着他的工作。他并不介意自己是否“红”， 甚至对“红”这个词汇的定义也是懵懵懂懂。“红”与“不红”，并不是他做这一行的一个初衷。而去想要做些什么事情让自己变红，在他看来就是一个无谓的笑话，“我知道怎么样最红啊。在街上裸奔不是最红吗？马上拍一个不就是头条了吗？但那个不是我生活、生命的意义。”
生活的、生命的意义究竟是什么，有些人究其一生都在探寻这个问题而不得解答。但霍建华总有一种直截了当的方法去解答这样一些看似深奥的哲学问题。快乐、简单。因简单而快乐。这好像就是他生活的意义。
霍建华是一个生活十分简单的人，忙碌的时候，甚至一份沙县蒸饺一碗汤就能凑合一顿，不拍戏的时候，就一个人自己逛街吃饭。平常的生活状态下，他却有一种难得的“无时无刻的幸福感。”他对于幸福感的阐释也很简单，却让人蓦然心头一暖。 “我呼吸着新鲜空气，晒着暖太阳，在路上漫无目的的走着，享受安静这叫幸福，买百万名车，住一个豪宅，那也叫幸福。幸福很多种，但我们尽量把幸福弄得简单一点。这些外在东西没有那么重要，重要的是你自己活着。你的脚还能走着，那就是幸福了。所以幸福真的很简单，我每天都有幸福的感觉。现在有很多影迷喜欢你，那也很幸福啊。这不是一个很浮华的心态，而是你可以讲一句话改变他们的生命观念，我觉得很幸福。”
这并不像一个三十出头的年轻人所拥有的幸福观，但对于一个能把自己在演艺圈的工作定义为“自娱自乐”的人来说，又让人由衷相信，是的，这个人的确随时随地都沉浸在一种白糖水似的幸福感里。虽然看不见，但从他上扬的语调，说话时伴随着的活泼手势，甚至时不时的大笑里，都感受的到那种淡淡的甜。
这种简单平实的幸福观也许是霍建华一路走到现在的一种沉淀。许多年前来到大陆拍戏的他，自觉不是科班出身的自己在大陆许多演员面前始终都是输一头。为了提高自己的演技，霍建华在私底下做了多少努力他自己也不太记得清楚。抱着一种“输才是本钱”的心态，霍建华一直以一种垂首的姿态，缓缓地拾级而上。曾经也会想太多的他，慢慢才发现这种担心实际毫无意义。“人生就是一个危险的过程吧，但你不试试看怎么知道是危险还是得到呢？你现在往坏的方面想会觉得它是危险的，也许它有另外一种结果呢。做事情不要想它是危险还是好，不用想，当下有没有意义，能不能让你得到满足，那就够了。”然 而，“ 简 单” 两字 对霍建华来讲，只是一种让自己快乐的心理态度。绝不是一种一根筋到底的思维方式。一方面，对自己十分了解的他，身上有一种强大的自我意识和自信心，坚持自己对拍戏的见解甚至到固执的程度，另一方面，他也不吝做出一些牺牲和让步，来使自己的影迷感到开 心快乐。他也笑自己，“有时候自我意识很强，有时候不强，很矛盾的。”该单纯时单纯，该复杂时复杂，但一切用简单的心去面对，这也许就是霍建华能保持“随时随地的幸福感”的最大秘诀。
认识现在的霍建华是一件幸运的事情，因为现在的他就像一个散财童子，愿意把“快乐”这一最宝贵的财富散布给身边的人。“让别人开心不好吗？开心是一种正能量，也许我什么都没说，但大家看到我开心，‘能帮我签个名吗？’我非常乐意。”霍建华的话带着一种承诺的意味。在他看来，演员除非是国际性的，影响力都十分有限，一个演员，只是演一个角色而已，观众不容易看到他本人，所能影响的不过自己的影迷。因此，霍建华觉得自己的作品和人，如果能让观众在茶余饭后谈论时得到一种开心的感受，便也是他付出辛苦劳动的意义所在。“那等于无形中我在做善事啊。”他笑称，“那下辈子我就能得福报，成为更好的人。”也许不用等到下辈子，现在按照这样一种简单的，随时随地的幸福感去生活。也许一天，也许一周，也许一年以后，我们都变成了更好的人。这是值得让人去相信的一种期待，就像相信每天早上都会有太阳从东边的天空喷薄出一轮明亮的光一样。我们终将会成为满溢着幸福气息的，更好的人。
Q：最近的访谈一直重复问有关于令狐冲和《笑傲江湖》的问题，你会感到烦吗？
A：不会啊。我们有我们的工作，他们有他们的，当然有很傻的问题，但是影响不到我，你傻是你傻的问题，傻不到我。有的时候我也会觉得媒体问题很弱智啊。只是那跟我没关系，如果你自己愿意把自己放在这个档次上，那请自便吧。
Q：现在找你要签名的人很多，你参加活动大家都很开心在尖叫。这个时候你会不会觉得自己是一个很成功的人？
A：我没有这样想过，我就是觉得，诶，一定要尽力帮他签。如果我的出现可以让大家开心一点的话，我很愿意，我很愿意牺牲我自己的时间，然后去让大家快乐，但我不会觉得是一个成功人士什么的，我离成功人士还很远。
Q：那在你看来，什么样的人算是“成功人士”？
A：我心目中应该是像文学家、企业家或者是科学家，建筑师。那对我来说是遥不可及的，在我看来那种人是真的成功的。演员来讲，我们能做的事情很少，就只是演戏而已，然后对自己负责，对白说好，把你的角色给设计好，对剧组负责，其实相对来讲，很简单。你现在来想，一个建筑师可以把一栋房子造好设计师去设计一个图，这些都是很伟大的。但是确实不常常能看到的，不象我们天天曝光在荧幕上面，我看一些节目有一些医生，在一些村落里面当义工，免费帮人家治病。这都是真正的伟大。对我来讲，其实很多平凡的人，他们更伟大。
Q：你是一个对自己要求很高的人，那工作中万一遇到一些会影响你工作进程的人，你是用一种怎样的态度去对待他们的呢？
A：我们电视剧演员，拍一部戏起码三个月，整个过程是很艰辛的，如果大家开
心，那就是一个无间的地狱，你等于在地狱里生活，所以一定要学会包容。我觉得能够相聚在一个剧组，我们上辈子一定有缘分，需要好好珍惜。但碰到那些妖魔鬼怪，那些很麻烦的人或者自我意识很强的人，我觉得 OK。没关系，我还是和其他人相处很快乐，这样他就会被孤立。而且我们不是故意要孤立他，而是他自己把自己孤立的。让他自己痛苦去，我们还是很快乐工作，一起吃
饭、一起闹、聊天、一起拍戏、一起生活着，他影响不了我们。但你要有这个包容心，取决于一点，你要对自己很自信，非常非常的自信。
Read MoreThree Trees Magazine (A school publication for their 5th anniversary)
June 5, 2013
Wallace Huo is an amazing person. Sometimes he is extremely self-affirmative and stubborn but sometimes he takes all things at ease. He used to give people an impression of being sensitive and a man of few words, but actually he loves to talk even to a degree of being deemed as a talkaholic. Chatting with him, no matter which topics, you’ll strangely feel that you’re being educated. Although he continuously emphasizes that his experience is ‘small and tiny’. Nonetheless, he likes to talk about his various life principles of what he has been through. Listening to his words and looking back to his career path, you have to admit that his words are a way to reflect his life long experience.
The interview with Wallace Huo took place several hours prior to his talk at the Foreign Economic and Trade University. With black down jacket, peaked cap, a blue scarf, a loose jean, ordinary sneakers, and a dry and red facial skin as a result of the northern wind of Beijing, he casually sited down and crossed his legs – he looked like someone who just came in for tea and a casual talk.
That evening at 7pm, Wallace gave a speech to the Foreign Economic and Trade University, but he refused to use the word ‘speech’. “You can’t say it is a speech or a presentation. That’s too much and I can’t do it. I’m not a teacher nor a professor, I’m not qualified to say something.” He stated the activity in the evening is only a ‘talk’. It’s just a free talk with various brothers and sisters within his position as an ‘ordinary person’ without any ring of light around. He said with a smile that he did prepare last night but now his head is blank. “I’m just like this. I can’t think of anything when I’m off stage. Inspirations come to me when I’m on stage.”
About the title on the poster at that day: A Man Who Turns Hardship Into Scenery, Wallace stated that title is ‘too big’ with his hands waving continuously after he heard of the title. Based on his understanding, hardship isn’t something a person must experience. It’s the same to him. It’s only because he is an actor and has the chance to acquire different life experiences. When the personality of each character penetrated into his own personality, he can have more life experiences than most ordinary people. “Of course I’m not in the 40s or 50s. I’m only 30ish. But I think I’ve had a few life experiences to share with them. That’s fine.” Of course, Wallace also wanted to take this chance for the students to understand him more as well as his entertainment circle. “I hope the students will know that we are different in person than in the screen. We have a life to live. We are working hard and struggling for our jobs. We’re planning for our future. I hope they’ll understand this is also a job. It’ll be similar to their jobs in the future. I’m just like any of you. There is no difference.”
Wallace was shocked when he heard about 500 to 600 people would attend the event. He made a gesture of getting up and leaving the place, “So many people, I better run away.” The room was filled with laughers. Although it was a joke, Wallace couldn’t hide his nervousness of having to face so many people. “It isn’t like my other press events. I didn’t feel stressful in those events. But to you as future leaders of the country, I feel stressful about it.” It had drew some suspicion that Wallace, who gives an impression of not knowing how to express himself, suddenly stated that he would come to the university for a talk show. Moreover, as Swordsman is airing on TV, it was inevitable that people associated that he as the male lead was using the event to promote the drama. Not only many of his fans said this isn’t what Wallace would normally do. It’s a strange thing similar to Linghu Chong acting as the chief master of Mount Heng. Before answering the question, Wallace smiled. Although he didn’t put on the hairband and costume, that smile was a Linghu Chong’s style of smile. “There is nothing as 'strange'. Strange is something you define yourself.” He said with a sharp tone. “I think this is something meaningful. I don’t get any benefit from it. But I feel it is something meaningful for them and me, and that’s enough. I don’t care what other people thinks why I’m here.” At that moment, it was hard to say whether Linghu Chong lived inside Wallace or Wallace and Linghu Chong had merged as one, both of them have that carefree personality in their blood.
Wallace stated he actually is similar to Linghu Chong, being led by destiny. So he can only stay at ease and it’s sufficient just to make decisions at critical points. With his peaceful and tolerating state of mind, Wallace’s learning in the jianghu of the entertainment circle has far exceeded Xu Changqing, the chief master of Mount Shu.
During the 2 hours interview, in order to sum up how many times Wallace had said ‘don’t care’, ‘not a problem’ and ‘don’t concern’, we’re afraid we might have to use a statistic program for it. The way he said those words sounded familiar. After giving it a thought, we got it. They’re the simplicity of that ordinary nobody in “Love At First Fight”, the air of detachment of the extraordinary capable and talented character in “Chines Paladin 3”, the bravery of the paladin in “Strange Hero Yi Zhi Mei”, and as well as the easy and carefree of the prodigal paladin in “Swordsman”. He has achieved his wish of ‘growing together with his characters’. The old saying says a prime minister’s mind should be broad enough for polling a boat. But Wallace’s mindset can poll a submarine. Stars inevitably will encounter comments, discussions, misunderstanding, criticizes, as well as accusations. None of these will stir up the moods of Wallace Huo in present days.
This mind training needs a process. Wallace had experienced a period of time in which he went into hiding under the influence of critics. During that period of time he only participated in acting and seldom showed up in front of the media. As such he was given a nickname of “mountain cave person”. The Wallace at that time was so much different from the present day Wallace, in which he mocked himself of having a low IQ while eating his ice cream to fill up the energy level.
His 180 degree makeover is accumulated from the little changes during his 10 years of acting career. Li Yashou in “Love at First Fight” is a turning point. “He only wants to be happy in his life. He is even more carefree than Linghu Chong. Everyday he is happy as long as he can eat, drink, fight and chase the girl he likes.” Li Yashou’s optimistic attitude changed Wallace’s outlook on life during the few months of filming. “I want to learn from him about happiness. Life is short. I’ve have passed 30 unknowingly. The next time we see each other again could be a few years later. Since it is so short, I should live a better life each day.”
Another turning point is his mentor, Liu Kai Chi, a Hong Kong Film Awards winner veteran actor. In the eyes of Wallace, he is not only his master in “Strange Hero Yi Zhi Mei”, but also is a respectable elder in the showbiz. When Wallace consulted him about acting what he got from him was advice full of meaning: Every person has his/her own way of acting. You don’t need to learn acting. You only need to learn how to better yourself. Learn how to face those fair and unfair situations. Stop complaining and do your work. I hope you will never complain and start to make things happen. His words came when Wallace was still a young man, and suddenly made him feel refresh and filled with wisdom. “You can demand yourself; But you can’t demand other people. You can’t expect people to be the same as you.”
Embracing this attitude, Wallace started to re-judge the environment he is in. Like he said, think in other people’s shoes. There are actually nothing you can’t tolerate or even say you hate it. Wallace even sees from a different angle about the topic of ‘being used’ that worries the stars the most. He sees it as an affirmation of himself. “If you want to take advantage from me, that’s fine. That only proves that I’m valuable. If you don’t have any value that people can use, it’s your problem. The so called actors, artists and stars generally will care about whether they are being used. I don’t worry about this. If I have nothing for them to utilize, that proves I’m a total loser.” As compared with this, the troubles from encountering troublesome working partners and fans who chase him and give all sorts of strange suggestions are really minor. Wallace has a way to handle them easy.
Troublesome working partners?
“I’ll try to cooperate. Does it mean if I cooperate a bit I won’t have the next play?”
About people who ask for autograph and photograph?
“They shoot you because they like you. Not because they think you’re good looking.”
About mails with strange suggestions?
“I don’t accept because they don’t understand. They only say it based on what they know about the rules of stars. But I don’t mind about it.”
Wallace Huo at present days has a detached and self-affirmative attitude towards his work. He doesn’t mind about not being “red” (a symbol of success). He is even suspicious about the definition of “red”. “Red” or “not red” isn’t his goal for working in this business sector. Thinking of how to make him even more popular to him is a joke. “I know how to make myself even more popular. How about if I run on the street naked? Won’t a picture make headline immediately? But that isn’t what I want: to live a meaningful life.” What is living a meaningful life about? Many people have kept searching for an answer to this unveiled question. But Wallace seems to give a straight-forward answer to this abstruse philosophy question. Happiness and Simplicity. Simple makes happiness. This is the true meaning of living his life.
Wallace lives a simple life. When he is busy, a plate of dumplings and a bowl of soup shall make it. When he isn’t filming, he browses the streets and eats alone. In his normal days, he has a sense of “every hour and moment of happiness”. His interpretation of happiness is also simple but it makes your heart feels warm. “Breathing fresh air, bathing under the sun, browsing along the streets, and enjoying a piece of quietness is called happiness. Buying a million dollars car and living in an expensive house is called happiness. There are different kinds of happiness. But we should make happiness simple. Material things aren’t that important. The most important thing is you’re still alive. You can walk with your legs. That’s happiness. Happiness is actually quite simple. I feel happy everyday. Now I have fans who like me. That’s happiness. This isn’t about the vanity of the mind. It is more about what you say might have an influence on what they think life is about. I feel I’m happy about that.”
This isn’t what a 30ish years old person should think about the meaning of happiness. But to a person who has defined his job in the showbiz as “self entertainment and self enjoyment’, it makes you believe this person is surely immersed in a sugar water like happiness at any time and anywhere. Although you can’t see it, but based on his rising intonation, lively gestures as he spoke, plus laughing now and then, you can feel that touch of sweetness.
This attitude of plain and simple happiness is a precipitation of Wallace’s path up to the current days. Many years ago when he came to the Mainland to start his acting career, he felt he was disadvantaged in front of the Mainland Chinese artists since he didn’t receive any professional training on acting. To improve his acting skills, Wallace can’t remember how much he had done in private. Embracing an attitude of “failure is gain”, Wallace slowly has stepped up the stairs at a bow stance. Once he was worrying but he is starting to realize this kind of worrying is meaningless. “Life is a risky journey. But if you don’t try how will you know it is a risk or a gain? If you think of the bad side you’ll think it is at risk. But the outcome can be different. To do something don’t think of whether it will be a risk or a gain. It’s useless to think that way. It is just enough to know whether you’re fulfilled.” But the word “simplicity” to Wallace is only a mental attitude to maintain happiness. It isn’t a about a one track-minded way of thinking. On one hand, he is extremely self-aware and confident because he understood himself. He insists on his understanding and stubbornness when it comes to filming. On the other hand, he doesn’t mind to make some sacrifices and concessions to make his fans happy. He laughed at himself “Sometimes I’m stubborn and sometimes not. It’s a dilemma.” When it needs to be simple stays simple. When it needs to be complicated stays complicated. But uses a simple heart to confront situations. This is probably the biggest secret of Wallace in maintaining a happy mindset at any time and anywhere.
It is fortunate to get to know Wallace in the present days. Because now he is like a money boy and is more willing to share “happiness”, this most treasured thing, with people around him. “Isn’t it good to make people happy? Happiness is an energy. Maybe I didn’t say anything but if they’re happy to see me such as ‘can I have an autograph’, I’m more than willing to do it.” Wallace ‘s words sound like a promise. To him unless the artists are known internationally, the influence is small. The best an actor can do is to play a character. People can’t see him in person easily. He can only influence his fans. As such, Wallace feels that if his work and himself can bring happiness to people as they chat away in free times, this is the value of his hard work. “This is like doing a good deed.” he laughed, “I’ll be more fortunate in my next life and become an even better person.” Maybe he doesn’t need to wait for the next life. Following his simple way to live and to feel happy about life, maybe one week or one year later we will all become better people. This is an expectation that we should believe in. It is similar to believing the sun will come out from the sky in the east and gush out a bright light. We’ll be overflown with happiness and be better people.
Q: Does it bother you that you’ve been asked questions related to Linghu Chong and Swordsman repeatedly in recent interviews?
A: No. We have our work, they have theirs. Of course there were silly questions but that didn’t bother me. It’s you being silly, not me. Sometimes I think questions from the media aren’t intellectual. But that won’t concern me if you want to put yourself in that shoe. It’s up to you.
Q: Nowadays many people want your autograph. People are screaming when you join an event. Do you think you’re now a successful person?
A: I’ve never though of this. I was just thinking, ah, I’m doing my best to sign. If my appearance will make people happy, I’m willing to do it. I’m willing to sacrifice my personal time to make people happy. But I don’t think I’m a successful person. I’m too far from it.
Q: What type of people do you think is a successful person?
A: In my heart they should be littérateurs, entrepreneurs, scientists, or architects. It’s something out of reach for me. I think they are the real successful people. I can only do limited things as an actor. It’s just acting and be responsible for myself. Frankly speaking, it is about having a good design of your characters and being responsible for the crews. It’s quite simple in comparison. Think about it, an architect can put up a building and a designer can design a blueprint. These are all mighty tasks. They surely can’t be seen (in public) all the time, unlike us who have exposure on the screens. I watched some programs about doctors who make volunteer work in some villages. They offer health checks for free. I think they’re mighty people. To me actually ordinary people are more magnificent.
Q: You’ve set high standards for yourself. If you meet people who affect the progress at work, what attitude will you use to treat them?
A: We artists generally take 3 months to film a drama. The progress is tough. If not everyone is happy, it is a hell without walls. It’s like living in hell and so you must learn tolerance. I think if we can work together as a team, it’s because we are destined in our last lives. If I bump into those demons and ghosts, or people who only want troubles or being selfish, it’s ok for me. Not a problem. I’ll still be happy around other people and he’ll be isolated. We don’t need to isolate him on purpose. It is himself who wants to be isolated. Let him be in his own grief. We’ll still be happily working, dinning together, having fun, chatting, filming together and living together. He can’t influence us. You must have a tolerating heart. It rests on your own confidence, at a high confidence level.
华说 “随时随地，我都很幸福”
三棵树杂志
6月5日2013年
霍建华是一个很神奇的人。他有时候极其的固执自我，有时候又似乎把一切都看的云淡风轻；他曾经给人敏感寡言的印象，但实际上他爱说话到了略微话唠的程度。和他聊天，不管谈到了什么话题，总莫名有一种被教育了的感觉，虽然他一直强调自己所有的经验都是“小小的”“一点点的”，但不可否认的，他乐于谈论自己亲身实践过的各种人生大道理，听着这些话，往回看他一路的演艺经历，不由得承认他的话，的确是某一方面的“现身说法”。
采访的时候，正是霍建华要去对外经贸大学进行交流的前几个小时，黑色羽绒服，鸭舌帽，围着藏蓝色围巾，一条松垮垮的牛仔裤，普通的球鞋，脸颊的皮肤在帝都的北风里干燥发红，就往那随意的一坐，翘起二郎腿——一副出来喝个下午茶顺便闲话一下家常的样子。
就在当晚七点，霍建华将面对对外经贸大学上百学生进行一场演讲——他很坚持不用演讲这个词。“不能说这是一个演讲，或者一个演说，这个太大了，做不了，我不是一个老师，也不是一个教授。我没有资格去说什么东西。”他称晚上的活动为谈”，以一个没有光环的普通人甚至是他给自己的定位“平凡人”的身份，与一群弟弟妹妹兴起所致说到哪是哪的谈话。他笑说虽然昨天晚上有准备，但现在自己脑袋却是一片空白。“我每次都样，台下我什么都想不出来，上了台反而有时会有一些灵感。”
至于那个当天印在海报上的主题：把磨难走成风景的男人。霍建华听了连连摆手直说这个标题“太大了”。在他的理解里，磨难不过是每个人都必须经历的程，他自然也是一样，只是因为当了演员，有机会体验各种不同的人生，当每一个角色的性格渗入他自己的性格中，才使他多了比普通人更多一些的生活经验。“当然我现在也不是说四十岁、五十岁了，我也毕竟才三十出头。但是我觉得以我仅有一点点的我的人生历练和生活经验跟他们享，就最好了。”当然，霍建华也希望大学生们能借此机会更多的了解他，还有他身处的娱乐圈。“我希望让学生们知道，我们真正的人和他们认识荧幕上的人是有一个完全不一样的感觉。我们也是真实的生活着，为我们的工作辛苦着，也在奋斗着，为未来的人生规划着。希望他们明白这也是一份工作，就像他们以后要面对他们的工作一样。我跟你们是一样的，没有任何区别。”
听说有五六百人将会参与晚上的活动，霍建华吃了一惊，立马做出起身要走的姿势，“这么多人，我还是先走算了。”惹起房里一片大笑。虽然是一句玩笑话，但从来没有面对过这么多的人，霍建华始终难掩紧张，反而和我平常上通告不一样，上通告我觉得很简单没什么压力，但对于你们，你们是未来国家的栋梁。所以反而那份压力是在的。”总给人不善言辞印象的霍建华突然说要来和大学生对谈，事情自然招来质疑。而恰逢《笑傲江湖》播出时期，不免有人认为作为第一男主角的他不外乎是来校园里宣传戏或者来作秀。不仅如此，连许多他的影迷都觉得这事情实在太不像霍建华一贯的作风，甚至有点像《笑傲江湖》里令狐冲接任恒山派掌门一样，是一件让人不敢相信的“怪事”。回答之前，霍建华先笑了笑，虽然没有发髻没有穿上戏服，那一笑却俨然是“令狐冲式”的笑容。“现在没有什么事情是奇怪的，奇怪都是自己给自己下的定义。”他字字都说的铿锵。“这件事我觉得是有意义的，我从中得不到任何的利益，但我觉得，这对他们对我都有意义，那就够了，我不会在乎别人说我来这干嘛。”那一瞬间，真的说不出是令狐冲上了霍建华的身，还是这两位一古一今的人生游侠的确拥有相同的洒脱性格。
霍建华说他其实和令狐冲很像，都是被命运推着往前走。因此只能一切随缘，只要在关键的地方做出选择就足够了。一种超出年纪的平和与包容，霍建华在娱乐江湖里的修为，远超那个雪山之巅的蜀山掌门徐长卿。
在两个多小时的访谈里，霍建华说了多少次“不在乎”，“没关系”，“不介意”的话，恐怕要借助统计工具才数的出来。而他说这话的神态，总让人觉得熟悉，仔细一想，可不是嘛。《武十郎》里市井小混混的单纯；《仙剑奇侠传三》里世外高人的超然；《怪侠一枝梅》里江湖侠盗的无畏；还有就是《笑傲江湖》里浪子侠客的大气——他实在是做到了曾经说过的“要和角色一起成长” 的愿望。
俗话说宰相肚里能撑船，霍建华的心里——何止开的进一艘航空母舰。明星都会遭遇到的一切评价、讨论、误解、批判、甚至谩骂，这一些对现在的霍建华来说，都不是值得引起心情变化的事情。 但这种心境的磨炼始终是一个过程，霍建华也经历过对外界评论耿耿于怀而因此把自己隐藏起来的阶段。那个时候的他，仅仅拍戏，除此以外极少在媒体前露脸，因此还被影迷们封了一个“山顶洞人”的外号。那时的霍建华，和现在一边吃冰淇淋以补充脑力一边自嘲“当年 EQ 很低”的他，俨然就是两个人。
性格上 180 度的漂移过弯，在他长达十年的演艺生涯里却是一点点积累起来的细微变化。喜剧《武十郎》里的“李亚寿”一角在他看来就是其中一个节点，“在他生命中，只要每天开心，他可能比令狐冲还要更笑傲江湖一点。每天他只要能吃吃饭，喝喝酒，打打架，然后有喜欢的女孩子，他就很开心了。”李亚寿身上的乐观态度，在拍戏的几个月内改变了霍建华的人生观，“我要向他学习这么乐观。人生其实很短暂，不知不觉我也过了三十多年。搞不好我们再见面，又是几年以后。既然那么短暂，就应该要过好每一天。”
另一个节点来自于一位贵人：曾获得香港金像奖的资深演员廖启智。在霍建华眼中，他不仅在《怪侠一枝梅》中饰演自己的师傅，更是演艺路上难得的前辈。在霍建华向他讨教演戏的方法时，得到的却是他意味深长的教导：演戏每个人都有方法，你不要学演戏，学做人就好了。学会很淡定面对那些平等不平等的事情，不要去抱怨只要去做。希望你从不抱怨开始做。这一席话，对当时仍然年轻气盛，时常抱怨还有些冲动的霍建华来说，无异于醍醐灌顶。“一个人你可以要求自己，但是你不能要求别人，不能期望别人跟你变成同类人。”
正是抱着这种态度，霍建华开始重新审视身处的环境，如他所说，换个心态看，的确没有什么事情不能忍受或者说很讨厌。甚至，霍建华能换一个角度将演员艺人们普遍的担忧——被人利用——看成是对自己的一种肯定。“如果你想从我身上得到什么利益，那非常好，因为那证明我是有利用价值的。当你没有利用价值的时候，那是你的问题了。所谓的演员、艺人、明星都会担心自己被利用，我不会担心这个问题，如果我没有利用价值的话，那证明我太失败了。”与此相比，难相处的工作伙伴，比如粉丝的追逐以及他们关心则乱的某些奇怪建议这些圈外人仅凭想象就会觉得头大的麻烦事已然不算什么，霍建华自有他游刃有余的处理方式。
麻烦的对手？
“配合他就好了，难道我配合他一点会没有下一部戏可以拍吗？”
喜欢要签名和拍照的陌生人？
“人家喜欢你才拍你的， 难道真的看你帅啊。”
各种提古怪意见的信件？“我不会接受，因为他们不懂，而只是以片面的对明星的了解去说一些规划，不过我不会计较的。”
现在的霍建华以一种超脱而自我的态度对待着他的工作。他并不介意自己是否“红”， 甚至对“红”这个词汇的定义也是懵懵懂懂。“红”与“不红”，并不是他做这一行的一个初衷。而去想要做些什么事情让自己变红，在他看来就是一个无谓的笑话，“我知道怎么样最红啊。在街上裸奔不是最红吗？马上拍一个不就是头条了吗？但那个不是我生活、生命的意义。”
生活的、生命的意义究竟是什么，有些人究其一生都在探寻这个问题而不得解答。但霍建华总有一种直截了当的方法去解答这样一些看似深奥的哲学问题。快乐、简单。因简单而快乐。这好像就是他生活的意义。
霍建华是一个生活十分简单的人，忙碌的时候，甚至一份沙县蒸饺一碗汤就能凑合一顿，不拍戏的时候，就一个人自己逛街吃饭。平常的生活状态下，他却有一种难得的“无时无刻的幸福感。”他对于幸福感的阐释也很简单，却让人蓦然心头一暖。 “我呼吸着新鲜空气，晒着暖太阳，在路上漫无目的的走着，享受安静这叫幸福，买百万名车，住一个豪宅，那也叫幸福。幸福很多种，但我们尽量把幸福弄得简单一点。这些外在东西没有那么重要，重要的是你自己活着。你的脚还能走着，那就是幸福了。所以幸福真的很简单，我每天都有幸福的感觉。现在有很多影迷喜欢你，那也很幸福啊。这不是一个很浮华的心态，而是你可以讲一句话改变他们的生命观念，我觉得很幸福。”
这并不像一个三十出头的年轻人所拥有的幸福观，但对于一个能把自己在演艺圈的工作定义为“自娱自乐”的人来说，又让人由衷相信，是的，这个人的确随时随地都沉浸在一种白糖水似的幸福感里。虽然看不见，但从他上扬的语调，说话时伴随着的活泼手势，甚至时不时的大笑里，都感受的到那种淡淡的甜。
这种简单平实的幸福观也许是霍建华一路走到现在的一种沉淀。许多年前来到大陆拍戏的他，自觉不是科班出身的自己在大陆许多演员面前始终都是输一头。为了提高自己的演技，霍建华在私底下做了多少努力他自己也不太记得清楚。抱着一种“输才是本钱”的心态，霍建华一直以一种垂首的姿态，缓缓地拾级而上。曾经也会想太多的他，慢慢才发现这种担心实际毫无意义。“人生就是一个危险的过程吧，但你不试试看怎么知道是危险还是得到呢？你现在往坏的方面想会觉得它是危险的，也许它有另外一种结果呢。做事情不要想它是危险还是好，不用想，当下有没有意义，能不能让你得到满足，那就够了。”然 而，“ 简 单” 两字 对霍建华来讲，只是一种让自己快乐的心理态度。绝不是一种一根筋到底的思维方式。一方面，对自己十分了解的他，身上有一种强大的自我意识和自信心，坚持自己对拍戏的见解甚至到固执的程度，另一方面，他也不吝做出一些牺牲和让步，来使自己的影迷感到开 心快乐。他也笑自己，“有时候自我意识很强，有时候不强，很矛盾的。”该单纯时单纯，该复杂时复杂，但一切用简单的心去面对，这也许就是霍建华能保持“随时随地的幸福感”的最大秘诀。
认识现在的霍建华是一件幸运的事情，因为现在的他就像一个散财童子，愿意把“快乐”这一最宝贵的财富散布给身边的人。“让别人开心不好吗？开心是一种正能量，也许我什么都没说，但大家看到我开心，‘能帮我签个名吗？’我非常乐意。”霍建华的话带着一种承诺的意味。在他看来，演员除非是国际性的，影响力都十分有限，一个演员，只是演一个角色而已，观众不容易看到他本人，所能影响的不过自己的影迷。因此，霍建华觉得自己的作品和人，如果能让观众在茶余饭后谈论时得到一种开心的感受，便也是他付出辛苦劳动的意义所在。“那等于无形中我在做善事啊。”他笑称，“那下辈子我就能得福报，成为更好的人。”也许不用等到下辈子，现在按照这样一种简单的，随时随地的幸福感去生活。也许一天，也许一周，也许一年以后，我们都变成了更好的人。这是值得让人去相信的一种期待，就像相信每天早上都会有太阳从东边的天空喷薄出一轮明亮的光一样。我们终将会成为满溢着幸福气息的，更好的人。
Q：最近的访谈一直重复问有关于令狐冲和《笑傲江湖》的问题，你会感到烦吗？
A：不会啊。我们有我们的工作，他们有他们的，当然有很傻的问题，但是影响不到我，你傻是你傻的问题，傻不到我。有的时候我也会觉得媒体问题很弱智啊。只是那跟我没关系，如果你自己愿意把自己放在这个档次上，那请自便吧。
Q：现在找你要签名的人很多，你参加活动大家都很开心在尖叫。这个时候你会不会觉得自己是一个很成功的人？
A：我没有这样想过，我就是觉得，诶，一定要尽力帮他签。如果我的出现可以让大家开心一点的话，我很愿意，我很愿意牺牲我自己的时间，然后去让大家快乐，但我不会觉得是一个成功人士什么的，我离成功人士还很远。
Q：那在你看来，什么样的人算是“成功人士”？
A：我心目中应该是像文学家、企业家或者是科学家，建筑师。那对我来说是遥不可及的，在我看来那种人是真的成功的。演员来讲，我们能做的事情很少，就只是演戏而已，然后对自己负责，对白说好，把你的角色给设计好，对剧组负责，其实相对来讲，很简单。你现在来想，一个建筑师可以把一栋房子造好设计师去设计一个图，这些都是很伟大的。但是确实不常常能看到的，不象我们天天曝光在荧幕上面，我看一些节目有一些医生，在一些村落里面当义工，免费帮人家治病。这都是真正的伟大。对我来讲，其实很多平凡的人，他们更伟大。
Q：你是一个对自己要求很高的人，那工作中万一遇到一些会影响你工作进程的人，你是用一种怎样的态度去对待他们的呢？
A：我们电视剧演员，拍一部戏起码三个月，整个过程是很艰辛的，如果大家开
心，那就是一个无间的地狱，你等于在地狱里生活，所以一定要学会包容。我觉得能够相聚在一个剧组，我们上辈子一定有缘分，需要好好珍惜。但碰到那些妖魔鬼怪，那些很麻烦的人或者自我意识很强的人，我觉得 OK。没关系，我还是和其他人相处很快乐，这样他就会被孤立。而且我们不是故意要孤立他，而是他自己把自己孤立的。让他自己痛苦去，我们还是很快乐工作，一起吃
饭、一起闹、聊天、一起拍戏、一起生活着，他影响不了我们。但你要有这个包容心，取决于一点，你要对自己很自信，非常非常的自信。
