appreciating things
a trail path, a laundry shop and scuba divers
Since I read this tweet from John Collison, I cannot stop thinking about it.
Details matter. Details are the projections of a creator’s character. What makes a thing distinct is the details. Yet, they require care and effort.
I was not a person that could appreciate details easily. I know, details matter. Still, I was always obsessed with big trends and major themes.
Also, we live in an age of distraction. When I find time from work and all the things that steal my attention, I spend it with other people. It is not easy to be alone in solitude. But, tenacity requires your deliberate attention, without distractions, to comprehend it.
For a while, I am slowly traveling Southeast Asia by myself. Since I have my time and attention with me, I am enjoying details and thoughtfulness in other people’s work.
I had opportunities to go hiking in different countries. I realized all the trail paths are carefully designed by humans. They are not a miracle of nature, they are carefully carved out and maintained by people, considering the erosion, organic feeling of the path, and highlights around.
On one of the hikes, our ranger told me that he built the path 20 years ago, and still maintains it.
I stayed in many hotels during my trip. The hotels that stood out were not the fanciest but the ones that were simple and thoughtfully designed. Having a bathroom hanger in the right place, placing a small table and chair in front of a nice view, and designing an intimate commonplace for people to meet each other make the difference.
When I was in Kota Kinabalu, I had zero clean clothes, was wearing the same t-shirt for I don’t know how long. I went to an Indian laundry shop and asked to get them back the same day. The owner said it is not possible, there are whites and colors, and the machines are busy. I told him to wash everything together, I don’t care. He got angry and told me it is a betrayal of his work. I was so tired and hopeless, but I smiled. I smiled because he cared. In the end, we made a deal. After one week, we even celebrated each other’s new year.
It is not always good interactions of course. You also notice things that are made without care.
For instance, walking in Thong Lo, Bangkok. It is the most hip neighborhood in the city where all expats and higher-income locals hang out. But, when you walk around you realize there are no adequate sidewalks or branch roads to avoid noisy traffic. (thanks urban planners). It is a nightmare for pedestrians.
There is another aspect of appreciating things. When you get used to a level of beauty, your threshold of being impressed increases.
I got my open-water scuba diving training a month ago and I learned that there is a marvelous diving site near Semporna, Borneo. And, it was true. I dived into stunning corals, various sea animals, groupers, eels, and huge turtles.
But, when we came back to the boat, everyone was like yeah, it was okay. Are you crazy?? There was a 100-kilo sea turtle swimming beside me. All the divers had so high expectations, they couldn’t appreciate the beauty around us. (i am a bit exaggerating, of course, they also enjoy their dives)
We have so many products and services created for every kind of niche interest. We are swimming in an abundance of content. But, passion and tenacity are not abundant. There is always room for details.
Thank you who cared for others.
I see you. I appreciate you. I promise that I will care.
can