We are all just humans
Jennifer Oechsner
Living abroad, particularly in Asia, there are plenty of opportunities to learn and grow. There are so many moments of fascinating observation; both in the world I have immersed myself in and my world within. My time living here as well as in India has been thought provoking, joyful and inspirational but of
course it can also be infuriating and lonely. Sometimes the frustration surfaces over innocuous things like how to pay my electric bill but also over cultural divides. Then of course there is the language barrier. I am working to bridge that gap but progress is moving at snail’s pace.
Living in Shanghai it can be easy to get bogged down by the challenges. Yes I figured out how to pay my electric bill but it seems like every week there is some new thing to figure out and well, it can be exhausting. Living in a city of 24 million people where I only know a few can also be draining. I have always been sensitive creature and fall into a space of loneliness when I get bogged down by life. It is quite difficult for me to share this but observing that and creating a loving space for that experience has been an important part of my experience here. I mention this because am learning that alone doesn’t have to be lonely. In spite of all my solo travel and difficult breakups I have navigated over the past 10 years, it wasn’t until very recently that I fully understood this.
In spite of the frustrations, China is an interesting place to live. Besides, if I really wanted everything to be easy and familiar then I wouldn't have uprooted my life and moved to India in 2018. One thing that I observe here that is difficult for me to navigate is my perception of how people interact. I feel a coldness here that is
challenging. I don’t mean this to be critical because who am I to say that one culture is superior to another. However, I am a sensitive creature and for as long as I can remember have been sensitive to the energy of others, even though for many years I couldn’t articulate it as such. From the outside, I see the community but not deep connection. I observe the rhythm of life here and recognize the cohesion that is an integral part of the order of things here. I recognize that part of what I am feeling is big city life. I realize that living in a city of 24 million people is not the best place to observe the true heart of China just like it would be hard to fairly assess American society by only living in New York City. But this is what I have to go on. I have learned that maneuvering all of this is part of the culture shock for me which in and of itself was difficult for me. Because I have spent a lot of time in Asia I didn't expect to have a tough time adjusting to life here. I thought I would slide right into life here. It has been comforting to know that the loneliness and culture shock is part of life (at some point) for most of the expats I have encountered here.
As I observe and contemplate the differences between countries and its people I am also fascinated by the similarities. In Shanghai I am teaching at an elementary school and it has been a wonderful experience getting to know the students. The rigors of Chinese schools are much more intense than my experience was but the kids, at the younger grades I teach anyway, are still the same.
One day I brought some cookies for a treat and when I got to the last class of the day I was afraid I was going to run out before everyone got one. One of the girls offered to share her cookie and broke apart her Oreo to share it with a classmate. On another occasion one of my first graders was very upset and crying a lot during class. She wasn't able to communicate why with me but several of the other students tried consoling her. I was touched by these observations and although I don't have a lot of experience with children I saw these interactions as examples of how the kind heart of a child is a universal attribute. Gradually, as we move through our lives our culture and life experiences place shadows over that true essence. Besides the compassion I observe between the kids there are various other similarities. Of course, the smart and bored kids act out. The shy students sit in the back to avoid being called upon. Those who are afraid to make mistakes speak slowly and quietly with careful intention. When those little humans came running down the hall to give me a hug after I was away in Nepal for 2 weeks it warmed my heart and I was again reminded of the universal desire for connection.
I know my observations of a shared cookie, kind moments between 6 year olds, a few hugs and classroom behaviors might seem like small examples of universal human existence. However, I truly believe that if more of us could interact from the heart of our inner child, from a place of innate compassion we all have, the world could be a kinder place. This means being more open with each other and requires some brave vulnerability. Learning to be better at that has also been a part of my experience here. These little humans I am surrounded by are a gentle and daily reminder to keep my heart open and bravely walk the path of compassion. It is from this avenue that I can strive to live my most authentic and fulfilling life. Care to join me in this mission?