Five years later, and I'm still touched by this wonderful encounter:
A middle-aged Korean man (아저씨 or Ajoshi) wanted to connect with me by singing his favorite hometown song. For some reason, on that day, he thought my energy was unbalanced. And since music helps awaken the mind and raise vibrational frequency, what better way to attract love and good vibes than to bond through positive energy? It's a basic premise, but it takes a certain type of person; a risk-taker, who is willing to cut the line between perfect strangers. We both took the risk, and it worked.
Travelers who live abroad can often go through a sense of alienation––a "connection withdrawal." Because, for the average individual, there is always an undying quest to share the same space with someone. You want to laugh at the same jokes, break bread, exchange your deepest thoughts and ideas, express vulnerabilities and compete with each other in a game or a sport. You want to participate in and create "culture." But when you look and talk differently, it's easy to feel isolated from the locals (a homogenous group with their rightful investment in sociopolitical cohesion and family lineage in their home country).
And when you can't do all of that, the greatest substitute for that inability and inaction is a simple gesture of love & respect––a small invitation into the temporary spaces you occupy. It's a reminder that despite closed permanent spaces, hearts will remain open. I hope you can take that lesson with you wherever you go and with whomever you may encounter.
What are your thoughts? What do you think keeps people (who speak the same language) from connecting on a deeper level? Are we suffering from a lack of human compassion due to our deep political/cultural divisions?
Please leave a comment and spark civilized dialogue. #OneLove