• “Peace comes from being aligned with the present moment. Wherever you are, you feel that you are home – because you are home.” •
– Eckhart Tolle
In 2012, Shanghai became 'home' for the next three years. It was also a significant point in my life where I learned to live in the moment. I consciously disconnected my personal life from the Western world. No TV (except movies), no Twitter, no IG, no Facebook (ok, ok…I did snoop a bit and drop a few lines on FB).
I had a routine down. Working, hanging with friends, eating the local foods at local spots, and taking personal time to travel. But of course, there is no denial that I felt like an outsider. Many moments rattled my reality. The most memorable? Small talk started by the salutations – “Obama!” “Michael Jordan!” “Africa!” A jolted laugh escaped me most times, followed by a response of confusion: “Ummm, Hao de.” Meaning, “Ummm, Ok.”
Never, not once, was I offended. The excitement in their eyes meant no malicious intent; just an eagerness to talk to a Black girl in China. In addition to those very interesting greetings, routine stops by people wanting to touch my hair, and to take pictures of me as if a celebrity were amongst them, became everyday life. In retrospect, I played myself...I should’ve faked it! LOL
I juggled several identities depending on my geographic location – a foreigner in China; and in America, first-generation. And simply by crossing paths with other unique people in China, and throughout Asia, I realized that there were stories needing to see the sun. So in 2014, my idea behind Defining Cultures was born.
Now more than ever, I am learning and sharing inspiration from other amazing people. I am aligned with the present moment.
A clip from my 2014 going-away speech. Please excuse the video quality.
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