Sometimes doing a chore you’re not thrilled with yields marvels you’d never imagine.
In Bangkok, I ha
d volunteered to take our team’s laundry to the service around the corner from the hotel. It meant I had to get up earlier than I’d like and schlep 15 lbs of dirty laundry to the shop. I would have much rather slept for a few more minutes. I was grumbling to myself how this had not been a good idea.
After dropping off the bags, I heard a drum beat near the hotel. I walked toward it, turning to see what was happening. Coming toward me was a parade of 100 children with Thai flags and signs that said “say no to drugs and cigarettes.” Each group of 30 kids had a different colored t-shirt — I’m guessing to represent different classes or schools. Each group was led by a girl dressed in traditional Thai attire.
After ne
arly all the kids had marched by, the line stopped next to me as the front of the parade waited to cross the busy street. The boys looked a bit bored so I started high five-ing them. Huge grins appeared on their faces, as more of them gathered around to high-5 this foreigner. It delighted us all. As the parade started moving again, they waved as they passed me.
I realized if I had not had to do this chore I would have missed this delightful experience.