Wisdom Gained

Are you sleepy? Are you hungry? Are you wet? What are the three questions critical to the happiness of an infant. The acronym HALT - hungry, angry, lonely and tired -  is the adult equivalent. When our basic needs are not met, we lose rational thought whether we are three months old or three decades. So eat healthy and wise, think before you speak, surround yourself with community and sleep like you are a baby, often and deep. And in my case, walk the distance, write daily and read long into the night. 

And add daily research, which combines all three of my favorite things  - reading, writing and walking, or unhindered thinking. What can I say, I am a simple person with a craving for knowledge. There is nothing I enjoy more than to dig deep into a topic that is new but not new, complicated but simple, and brimming with data, statistics and facts that are fresh, intimidating, massive and humbling. I love to freelance. 

Recently, I spent eight weeks immersing myself in the government procurement practices of a small country in Southeast Asia. Sound boring? Not at all. “The procurement rules and regulations have sought to attain accountability, competition, and fair play. Despite every effort of the law, the procurement processes are fraught with extreme bureaucratization. The rules are lengthy and confusing. The complexity and bureaucratic procedures foster corruption.” What I find engaging in research are the stories; the faces that surround the data, the culture, the history and practices and the infinite possibilities of change that come with the gathering of knowledge and understanding. The wisdom gained.

What I love about freelance research are the topics, often outside of my radar - fashion ecosystems, politics of the early film industry, research in the cosmetic industry, policies and procedures of local mayoral races, the history and value of green tea, the #metoo movement and why everyone needs a voice. I have found through research, that honesty and transparency is the most important human right in any society, culture or country.

I love to learn. I love to be tested. I love to research.