Do You Hate Vegetables?

I watched a newsreel today, which featured a 103-year-old Australian lady who is a world-record holder in athletics (at least in her age group). She throws the shot-putt. Interestingly, she has not eaten vegetables since she was a child. With her current level of health and fitness, I am certain that it might shift a few mental paradigms for those who are fond of a mixed, omnivorous diet.

Do you recall how – as a child – how we used to hate certain vegetables? Yet, our parents tried creative methods to get us to “eat” our “greens” – covertly or overtly. When we grew older, this apparent “disgust” for veggies (disguised or otherwise) became reduced and we ate them voluntarily.

Travelling is a useful, voluntary activity, unless you are on a business trip. It allows us to open up our minds to new experiences and accommodate new perspectives. For some of us, travelling is about the journey; for others, it is the destination. Both are equally important. The destination can be an analogy of our goals, targets and achievements. The journey can be the process, the means to get there, and our ambition.

When we travel, we need to be respectful of our “hosts”. I believe that hospitality needs to be earned. Too often, we tend to be critical of others when we make comparisons to what is familiar to us. Our frames of reference may be narrower than we think. To appreciate cross-cultural differences, we may have to endure mild discomfort for the unusual learning we may receive. Instead of approaching differences with suspicion, resentment and arrogance, we can treat it as a learning opportunity because of the uniqueness of individuals and the environment.

To appreciate change, we must forego familiarity, comfort and security. Otherwise, we have not really made any adaptation. We adapt by adopting cultural requirements and expectations, and then become adept at it with practice, responding to feedback and being alert to another’s needs.

Move away from our preferences and explore our prejudices. Our prejudices may hold for us an untapped pool of undiscovered possibilities. Get close to our preferences; Get closer to our prejudices.

Go on - eat your vegetables!