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I took myself out for tea. No book. No computer. No fiddling with my phone or my purse or the camera or anything that would be used as cover – to make me appear occupied instead of alone.
I went out in public and sat on my own. Just me. And my tea.
I was really lonely at my table-for-one.
And I didn’t do anything about it, because honestly there was nothing I could do. I had left the distractions and coping-mechanisms back at the hotel.
I sat with the loneliness because it was the only one around.
As I was counting the cracks in the wall and feeling a little sad, a woman abruptly floated into my view. She sat herself down at the open seat across from me.
“Excuse me, miss. Where you from?”
We talked and talked. About her life in Vietnam and mine in the US. School, work, travel, family, boyfriends. The works.
She asked why I travel alone.
“Isn’t it nice to share the experience with others? Why not bring your friends and family?”
I agreed, yes, it is nice to share it.
What she didn’t see is that I was sharing it…with her.
My empty seat had opened up room for something delightfully unexpected to float into my world. A new friend.
On that chilly overcast morning in Da Nang, over a cup of tea, the day started looking a little brighter.
The courage to leave space for the unknown is what made it possible for the world to present me with a new opportunity.
It was not surprising. Rather, it was reassuring – to realize that the thing that ‘showed up’ was exactly what I needed in that moment.
So, as a reminder to myself for when I compulsively want to fill every minute of my day (and my life) with items from the To-Do List.
Once in a while, save an empty seat. The delightfully unexpected will show up.
Because, after all, possibility requires space to unfold.
Make room.
