Human perception can be a funny thing. Specifically, given how one understands their reality can be used to expand one’s own perception. Pho with duck (pictured above) turned out to be the perfect motivator for a needed perspective shift in the right direction. Following a string of difficult days, I was instructed to ‘get outside and go do something’. In clinical practice, it is common to recommend that clients spend time outside to help improve mood as research suggests symptoms of depression, anxiety and the like can be reduced by engaging with the world. However, as with most situations I was at the ready to give advice but remained relatively useless in taking my own. However, today was different. I was on a mission to eat and I had to be able to provide photographic evidence of the meal or risk losing a cleverly-crafted bet. Despite being skeptical about leaving my ‘cave’ following a whirlwind of delightful (sarcasm very much intended here) emotions, I called a Grab bike and was headed into Old Quarter. However, this time I tried to be present. I watched the seemingly paradoxical calming chaos of motorbikes around me contrast against small alleyways and the green of trees that line many Hanoian streets. Before I knew it, I had arrived at a small duck restaurant.
Following an enjoyable Grab ride, I was seated and pho with duck was on the way. Little did I know that this simple Vietnamese staple would sort a maladaptive perspective and an even hungrier person. It turns out that it becomes difficult to rationalize, question, and learn from one’s own thoughts if you don’t eat due to stress. There becomes this sneaky cycle where a funky mood followed by too little food just begs for one’s perspective to be so far off the mark that even a marksmen could not hit the target. However, I was here sitting in one of the sweetest restaurants I’d been to during my time in Hanoi.
By slowing down to truly enjoying the experience of eating, I found myself content. The usual stream-of-consciousness that can send me into undue tailspins often over nothing more than the absurdly mundane was quieted. I was solely here enjoying a moment in Hanoi, a city both frenzied with activity and calm in essence. Now it would be foolish to suggest that every difficult day or period in life can be completely rectified by a bowl of pho such as this, but I do suggest giving it a try.
Although pho may only be part of what it takes to spur a perspective shift, I was tickled to remember the importance of living in the present moment. The days prior had been largely consumed by undue worry about things that were largely beyond my control (read: worries that were clearly insanely productive, right?). However, pho represented a necessary reminder. Through staring intently into the bowl of pho, somewhere between a rice noodle and a chili I recalled a primary reason for going abroad to teach English. My aim was / is to learn about another culture. Unbeknownst to me, Hanoi (and Vietnam as a whole) has begin quickly teaching me the importance of slowing down and challenging my perspective in exchange for the better more positive aspects of my own reality.
Who knew a perspective shift could be found in a bowl of pho?
Stampchaser Photography 