Educating Rituals

I recall the Michael Caine film 'Educating Rita' which was based loosely on Pygmalion and My Fair Lady. In summary, a lady of humble backgrounds (hairdresser) is educated by an alcoholic college professor into a groomed and respectable one.

This evening, John, Mel and I watched a flamenco performance in a beautiful theatre, 10 minutes away from our hotel. We bought circle seats, at discounted prices. The 75-minute show expanded into 90 minutes with a much appreciated encore by the cast of two guitarists, one drummer, three singers and three dancers. Many in the audience were not Spanish, so we were held enthralled by the rhythmic, graceful and powerful tap-dancing style. I was directed to the edge of my seat most of the time, due to the intriguing dance form as well as having my view blocked by an elderly tourist couple. I learnt early that it is important to suspend my prejudices about people, and focus on the task (in this case, show) at hand.


Having watched 'Riverdance', I drew parallels with the Irish, American and Spanish tap-dance tradition. Dancers are, unarguably, athletes. They train as hard as any gymnast or swimmer or acrobat. The male dancer was drenched in sweat after he removed his jacket, and proceeded to dance even more vigorously. The dancers exhibited strength and power in their graceful movements. Every gesture and posture was deliberate, committed and well executed. Artists seek perfection in their attempts at details. Leonardo da Vinci said: 'Details make for perfection, but perfection is no detail.'


To experience another person's culture and traditions is to build on one's exposure to the world. Each contact and connection enhance our value to the world. The Six Degrees of Separation can only be reduced if we choose to. We can do this by being less judgmental, and judicious in our recognition of uniqueness. Differences can be very charming and alluring. Diversity needs to be managed if we are to draw upon capabilities and potential.


Even with a copy of The Lonely Planet in hand, we need not be alone. Endurance runners know what it means to be alone, but never lonely. You may not be the only lone runner running at midnight; elsewhere in the vast geography of our world, we are united by he invisible connection with a similar runner. Everybody wants to get ahead, and stay ahead in life. Answers abound. Asking the right question is the quest in itself.

Leadership Lessons: How do you keep yourself knowledgeable about things? How often do you seek education? How has traveling enhanced you? What do you learn when you are on the road? Which ways do you appreciate cross cultural interactions?


Photo-credits: Mel Chan (I am postulating to the mythic gods in Mount Olympus)