To be honest, it’s been a bit of a challenge to write these posts, aka putting my brain to work after spending all day out and about as a tourist.
The last couple of days have involved a lot of walking and sightseeing. We went to Ruifang (瑞芳), Houtong Cat Village (猴硐貓村), and Shifen (十分) on Day 5; Da'an Forest Park (大安森林公園) and Shilin Night Market (士林夜市) on Day 6.
The attractions and activities we did were pretty cool, but what stood out to me most were the values of Taiwanese culture.
Everywhere we went, I noticed that humility, selflessness, and generosity are embedded into the speech, intention, and mannerisms of Taiwanese people.
These are the same values I was raised with, but being in the U.S. where competition, individualism, and independence are valued, I’ve often been left exposed to being taken advantage of, resulting in my mental health struggles of self-deprecation and people-pleasing as a first generation Taiwanese American.
Taking the day off from exploring today is helping me decompress and reflect on the grief I feel about being raised in a way that left me unprepared to protect my personal boundaries in the U.S.
I’m realizing now the significance of my passion for promoting self-love as a result of pursuing personal development.
For so long I’ve resented my Taiwanese heritage because of my personal struggles, but now I realize that the parts I’ve tried to disassociate from are the very values I deeply admire about being Taiwanese.
Regardless of the cultural differences from around the world, I still believe that what binds humanity is our universal quest for peace, love, and harmony.
My hope for you, as you read this, is that you find your own balance among different cultural heritages. No matter who you are, or where you’re from, you deserve to forge a path that honors your personal well-being.
May we all be happy, may we all find peace, and may we create a place where future generations feel loved, valued, and respected everywhere on Earth. ❤️
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