A few years ago, I journeyed to Saigon on a travel writing assignment. I stayed at the luxurious Park Hyatt in the center of the city. After sleeping off my jet lag, I set out on foot to explore.
The traffic in front of the hotel was dizzying: cars, pedicabs, bicycles, motorcycles, mopeds, trucks. And a few brave (crazy?) pedestrians.
I'm pretty fearless, but this looked daunting.
As I hesitated on the steps of the hotel, the doorman offered this sage advice: "It will be safe if you walk slowly. That way everyone will see you."
Counterintuitive, isn't it?
So much in our world encourages us to hurry up. But when we act deliberatively and calmly, others see us. And we see others.
My heart pounding, I crossed that Saigon street. Not once, but dozens of times during my stay. All without incident.
Not only did I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment, I learned something valuable that informs my relationships and my work.
The traffic in front of the hotel was dizzying: cars, pedicabs, bicycles, motorcycles, mopeds, trucks. And a few brave (crazy?) pedestrians.
I'm pretty fearless, but this looked daunting.
As I hesitated on the steps of the hotel, the doorman offered this sage advice: "It will be safe if you walk slowly. That way everyone will see you."
Counterintuitive, isn't it?
So much in our world encourages us to hurry up. But when we act deliberatively and calmly, others see us. And we see others.
My heart pounding, I crossed that Saigon street. Not once, but dozens of times during my stay. All without incident.
Not only did I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment, I learned something valuable that informs my relationships and my work.
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