Life Coaching Lessons From a Traveler I Met Recently — “Fe”
Sometimes, it takes just one person — a brief encounter, a passing conversation — to shift the way we see ourselves and the world. This traveler — someone from a world so different from mine — became a mirror, a challenger, and an unexpected teacher.
We came from completely different backgrounds. His was rooted in engineering, corporate structures, precision, and determination. Mine — free-spirited, entrepreneurial, human-centered. Two worlds that rarely collide in such a nourishing, meaningful way.
Yet, we met. And through few rounds of interactions, we shared our vulnerabilities, reflections, and questions.
The Challenge of Understanding: Words, Cultures, and Rhythms
His mother tongue was Latin American Spanish. Mine, a blend of Chinese and English. Between our pauses, translations, and imperfect words, something rare happened: connection.
The challenge of understanding each other went beyond language. It reflected something deeper — how we each process the world, how we express ourselves, and how we listen.
I realized how used I am to my usual ways. My usual rhythm, my familiar thoughts, my confident explanations. But he disrupted all that. He challenged me to slow down, to process more carefully, and to open up to something new.
His Vulnerability: A Gift of Humility
One of the most beautiful gifts he shared was his vulnerability.
As an extreme overachiever, he described himself as someone who doesn’t just talk — he sets his mind, works toward it relentlessly, and excels. But for all his success, he struggled. He struggled to connect with people, to empathize, to listen.
He shared:
“I wanted to experience the world differently. Not by speaking, but by listening more — by expanding my senses to take in the world as fully as I can.”
His words were humbling. To hear someone so accomplished admit their struggles, their effort to grow, and their conscious decision to change — it moved me.
It reminded me that even those who seem invincible are carrying their own lessons, their own quiet journeys of self-discovery.
The Exchange of Thoughts: Graphs, Charts, and Reflections
What made our interaction so extraordinary was the way we processed our thoughts together.
We visualized our ideas. We exchanged reflections using graphs, charts, and illustrations — bringing abstract thoughts to life in ways I had rarely experienced. (usually though my line of work, I am the one in interaction that express my thoughts by visualising..rarely.. i met someone who reciprocally do the same..)
It was both fun and challenging, a dance between two very different minds.
• His world — structured, analytical, precise, rooted in rationalising and factualising.
• Mine — free, intuitive, flexible, shaped by human connection and personal growth.
And yet, we met in the middle. We met in the flow of connection, creating something new in the exchange.
He had a heightened need — a quest, really — for reflecting and learning. I rarely, VERY rarely, meet someone so determined to process their thoughts, internalize them, and extract meaning.
It was inspiring to see someone so committed to their own growth, so deliberate about understanding themselves and the world.
Living Up to Our Essence
Together, we explored the deepest questions:
- The Mind: How do we silence the noise of assumptions and fears?
- The Self: What is our truest self beyond the masks we wear?
- The Ego: How does ego prevent us from connecting, listening, and learning? (and he said “the one who is learning and studying what ego is, usually is having more ego .. which kind of true ey… I am echoing and agreeing..and nodding my head…)
- The Soul: Where does our essence lie? How do we live up to it?
He shared:
“Your fears create a gap between your essence and your abilities. The more you let fear control you, the wider that gap becomes. But when you trust yourself, you close the gap.”
It made me reflect deeply: How do I close that gap? How often do I let fear shrink my abilities? His words reminded me that faith — believing without my eyes — is the bridge that allows us to step into who we truly are.
Challenging Pain and Pleasure
We talked about growth. I shared my belief:
“Pain and pleasure are directly proportional. There is pain in pleasure and there is pelasure in pain..”
But he pushed me further:
“Why must growth always be tied to pain? What if pain has a threshold, and beyond that, we can expand pleasure exponentially?”
It was a revelation. I had been holding onto unnecessary struggle, believing it was required for progress. But he showed me another way — to let go of pain when it no longer serves and to seek growth through joy and pleasure.
Reconnecting With My Body
In all this deep reflection, he grounded me back to my body.
Through a simple yoga practice, he reminded me to:
Rest. Pause. Breathe. Listen.
It’s easy to lose touch with our physical selves when our minds are so full of thoughts and noise. But reconnecting with my body reminded me: healing and growth don’t always happen in the mind. Sometimes, they start with a breath, a pause, or a moment of stillness.
The Goodbye That Was a Beginning
We met by saying hello, and we parted with gratitude.
Two travelers, walking different paths — one rooted in structure and discipline, the other in fluidity and connection — yet both seeking the same thing: truth, growth, and meaning.
He left me with lessons I’ll carry forward:
- Challenge your “usual.” Let discomfort teach you.
- Grow without unnecessary pain. Allow pleasure to expand.
- Reconnect with your body. Breathe. Listen.
- Believe without your eyes. Have faith in yourself and the unseen.
It’s rare to meet someone who not only challenges your thoughts but also inspires you with their own.
To the traveler, I want to say:
Thank you for sharing your vulnerability. Thank you for showing me that even those who seem unstoppable struggle and grow. Thank you for teaching me to listen more, to think more carefully, and to reconnect with myself — mind, body, and soul.
Dear Universe, Thank You
This short meaningful acquaintance reminded me of life’s beauty — that we are all traveler, crossing paths for moments or lifetimes, sharing lessons that transform us.
To anyone reading this:
• Pause. Reflect. Connect deeply with yourself and others.
• Be open to the people who challenge you. They are gifts.
• Trust the journey, even when the path is unclear.
We are all searching for meaning. We are all shining in our own way.
Rest. Pause. Breathe. Contemplate. Keep Going, Universe has our back always.
So much love and blessings,
P.L to C.G.
