Gypsies in Thailand... part 3

Each day in Bangkok was a kind of decompression from the stress of western society.
We found ourselves letting down and relaxing more and more.  We slipped into a comfortable
routine soon after arriving.  We had decided to stay in one central location for our stay,
rather than trying to go everywhere and do everything as many travellers are encouraged to do.
The simplicity of unpacking once and feeling like you had a home base was preferable to rushing
from place to place.  Apart from our frequent dental appointments, we moved through our days
without set agendas.  We outfitted ourselves with a guidebook and a couple of maps and ventured
off in search of all that is unique to Bangkok.   But mostly we simply lived there!
We absorbed the smells and sounds and sights.  We became attuned to the rhythms of the city.
One of the first things we noticed was our way of moving through our surroundings.
It was a vivid caption of how we were moving through life.  By comparison, we moved fast,
forcefully and in a hard and defensive way compared to the Thais languid, easy pace.
By contrast, we seemed always be in a rush even when trying to relax!
It was an adventure in itself just to slow down and try to match the pace of life that flowed
around us.
When you slow down you feel your body in a whole different way.
In fact, you might discover that you haven't been feeling your body very much at all in our
fast-paced society.  You begin to breathe a little and ease up on the gas pedal.
Everyone around you is relaxed and reasonable.  The very atmosphere begins to pull you
into a better space.  People tend to smile more...even at strangers.  It is part of their gentle lifestyle.
You slowly begin to soften and become like them.

Thai massage is likened to "a thousand gentle waves'.  Thai culture is very much like that, as well.
It washes away layers of stress, hardness and separation.  It brings with it a felt sense of repose
and good will toward all.   Often the hardest part of coming back to the states is that people do not
smile or even look at one another.  When they do, it is often carefully measured and superficiall
It was a good experience to let down and be our naturally soft and sweet selves.

There were so many kindnesses shown to us along the way....countless gestures and smiles.
It was so amazing to be treated so well everywhere we went...

Some people are tempted to unthinkingly take this lovely treatment as their due,
rather than valuing it and learning to emulate this better way....to pay it forward to others.

It has been my experience that one exposure to Thai culture sparks a life-altering process of change.
if you are open to it.   It gentles the soul and eases the mind.
It brings you back home to your best self on a very deep level.
All that is best in you is unearthed, dusted off thoroughly and affirmed.
It is a return to innocence and a chance to begin anew....