To be there, present

Since my departure, a phenomenon has amazed me daily, and explaining it is not simple because it might seem like a personal bias.

A brief digression to explain. Back when I was the director of a CPE (early childhood centre), one of my pleasures was attending the annual conference of the American NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children). And yes, our Quebec system is much more inspired by the American approach than the French one, except, of course, when it comes to funding. The connection between the academic and community sectors is particularly vibrant and interesting. One of the leading figures in the field once shared a quote that has stayed with me ever since: “I regularly visit daycare centres and other services. Sometimes all the conditions are in place to offer good services: group size, facility layout, staff training, educational materials, but something isn't working: there's nobody there.” The people who work there aren't there with their hearts.

Since my time in French Polynesia, I've been constantly amazed by the presence of people from the East in their daily interactions, and that even in brief commercial exchanges, they genuinely enjoy communicating with me. This is evident throughout the day with various attendants, but also with the people I photograph or film, even though they might be upset about intruding on their privacy. Often, it's even with people I catch a glimpse of, and a smile lights up their faces. Traveling alone, these encounters are not only pleasant but also a vibrant demonstration that the beauty of life is closely linked to human relationships and their appreciation. Moreover, it has been shown that the quality of our social network has an impact on our longevity. Deep friendships are certainly important, but here I find that these warm, everyday interactions add spice to life.

The few Eastern techniques I've tried—yoga, tai chi, shiatsu—all share a common thread: focusing on oneself, being present with oneself, with one's breath, inhabiting one's body. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Which created which? In any case, they both nourish each other and remain distinct from our very Western obsession with performance.

Travel is a reminder that life is lived in the present moment, and that to appreciate it, you must be there, not elsewhere, but present to what unfolds before you and within you. As the saying goes: those who are absent are always wrong.