I’d like to write my story, but I wouldn’t know where to start. I like telling other people’s stories — where they’re from, what makes them unique, and ultimately, what brings them true happiness.
During my travels in Thailand, I realized there’s much more to life than money. Many Thai people seem to have simple jobs; most work in places ranging from food stalls to small marketplaces. They always have a smile gleaming on their faces even while working under that hard, hot sun.
On a street corner in Bangkok stood a skinny Thai man with skin browned from the sun and wearing a Tiger Beer tank top. He had a simple job; squeezing limes and selling their juice to tourists and locals walking down the street. What I vividly remember about him is that he couldn’t stop smiling even though beads of sweat were rolling down his face. Why was he so happy? I inferred that a simple job allows you to provide for your basic survival needs — food on the table and a place to live. Perhaps he doesn’t have many belongings but he’s free and happy. He spends time working a simple job knowing that he will be able to provide for his friends and family. Since his basic needs are covered, nothing ties him down and he chooses to enjoy life —he’s alive. I’ll never forget his contagious smile, which wrinkled up his entire face.
When I’m not exploring the world, I often feel like I’m just going through the motions. I felt pure happiness in Thailand, once in Bangkok and a second time in Chiang Mai. Too many times during the day I start pondering, “What’s next for my life?” In Bangkok I made the conscious decision not to worry too much about the future and just roll with the punches. I was on my way to explore Chatuchak Weekend Market and hopped on the back of a motorbike taxi. I threw my head back, held on to the back of the bike (for dear life) and felt the wind dancing through my hair. As we zipped through the backstreets of Bangkok, I caught a glimpse of my face in the motorbike mirror — I had the same smile gleaming on my face as the skinny Thai man squeezing limes. Truly enjoying and living in the moment is pure bliss.
The second time I felt alive and happy was after spending a day caring for and riding elephants in Chiang Mai. It’s important not to take life so seriously, which is the lesson my 7 year old elephant companion taught me. After our one-hour walk through the mountains of Baanchang Elephant Park, I was standing in a pond of mirky water bathing my elephant. The moment I realized elephant dung was floating throughout the pond, my elephant caught me completely off guard and sprayed me with a trunk full of water. I couldn’t stop laughing and felt pure joy. Life has a funny way of teaching you to not take things so seriously when you’re working through your “shit” — literally!
Do you feel alive and truly happy or are you just going through the motions? I hope you experience pure happiness, whether it’s through squeezing limes or wading through elephant dung.
I wade through business dung everyday and love it.
Love this blog and this blog entry in particular because it is important to experience pure joy. We take ourselves way too seriously in the US sometimes. Maybe it is better to simplify and to be happy with what we have and who we are. This also really wants me to travel to Thailand! Thanks, Kristen!
HI Kristen! Really enjoyed your post, and it brought back great memories of my trip to Thailand last year. Great food, views, and opportunities for adventures I’d never had - playing with elephants at Elephant Jungle Paradise Park, diving in the Similan Islands (Wicked Diving), beautiful beaches of Khao Lak, and so much more. I really loved the warm greeting that everyone gives everyone, and that is one of the first things kids learn in school! Makes for a great trip if everyone is welcoming you - genuinely!
I just returned from a month in China (Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Nanking) and want to recommend that you go there, if you haven’t yet. People live to eat and hang out with their families. Babies and kids get to play, even in big (well, HUGE) cities, watched lovingly by their grandparents and parents. People LOVE to talk to (or just smile at) Americans. And food is plentiful and wonderful. We loved visiting the amazing food courts in the fancy malls that we found everywhere. Tempting and tasty treats for adventurous and not-so-adventurous eaters.
Thanks for bringing back great memories!