Learning the Selfless Language of Altruism

Hello, dear travelers on this path we call life. I am here once more to share an enchanting tale which shines a light upon altruism, a virtue as ancient as time itself and one that has left an indelible mark on my spirit.

The Beginning – A New Language Adventure

In my four decades as a traveler across continents, I found myself immersed in many cultures and languages. One such journey led me to a remote part of Italy – Rome wasn’t its capital but it sure did have warmth enriched by years of tradition and values.

This small community held fast to their traditional dialect. An odd little language unbeknownst even among many Italians themselves!

A Chance Meeting with Giulia

Sitting alone in an old cafe corner was where I met her – Giulia. She noticed my futile attempts at communicating with locals using broken Italian phrases from a guidebook, rather than actually speaking their native dialect.

“Do not fear failure,” she said. “Each misstep is merely progress wrapped in learning.”

Rolled R’s: The Dialect Challenge Put Forth By Giulia

Tenacious yet kind-hearted, Giulia pledged herself to be my linguistic mentor without asking for anything in return because she believed in the aphorism: “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted”.

Frustration Becomes Flourishing: Learning Through Kindness

• The first step was moving beyond discomfort or frustration with every rolled ‘R’ I failed at producing correctly.
• I discovered there’s greater beauty behind these frustrations when faced head-on.
• All along the way, her patience allowed me room for error, gently guiding me back towards correct pronunciation each time- never letting anger or disappointment show on her face.
• Certainly, empathy allows us teachers who are able lead students through dark tunnels quelling fears borne out misunderstanding until they reach understanding’s comforting shore.