What makes something special?

What makes something special?

This thought crossed my mind as I wandered through the magnificent Angkor Wat temple at sunrise. Standing among the historical temple looking at the beautiful stone etchings on the walls. As I marvelled at the history around me, it made me think about why people are drawn to places like these.

Inside the beautiful Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Are they significant because of their size and beauty?

Is it their age and ability to withstand centuries and decades of wearing down?

Is it the events that took place that make a place special?

What makes anything worth preserving, visiting, admiring & remembering even long after time has passed?

What I've been thinking is maybe what makes something special is what we make of it. That's all there is to it.

All places can be special when we ascribe meaning to it.

Just like every life and every story can be significant if we hold it to be.

These ancient places, these ruins, these monuments - they all hold their value because centuries later, we deem them to be valuable. They tell stories of our ancestors, our culture and our countries.

What makes something wonderful is our ability to make it wonderful.

We are the ones who make meaning of people, places and things.

What a privilege.

It makes me think of what meanings I make of things in my life. And whether I'm preserving my dignity in the process.

What is the legacy I'm leaving? Because we're etching it into the walls of people's lives every single day.

So far, my stay in Siem Reap was a place that sparked awe. I got to walk beautiful temple ruins in the Angkor Wat region and experienced firsthand the kindness and pure joy of local people in the Komphong Phluk village.

I’ve never felt a warmth like it. It humbled my soul in a way that connected with my deep humanity.

Even with so little, their hearts are filled with so much love and joy.

Local children of Komphong Phluk village

Leaving Vietnam and coming to Cambodia, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. Of all the countries I planned to visit on this trip- this was the one I knew the least about.

As you know, every country I’ve been to has left me with a lesson and a “word” to encapsulate my experience.

As I boarded my plane to Siem Reap, I was handed an immigration arrival card with the Cambodian emblem and phrase saying “Kingdom of Wonder.”

It felt right in my spirit.

“Wonder.”

Wonder and awe again for people, a zeal for life and an openness to possibility.

It made sense after the journey I’d had so far that now life is inviting me to marvel again. To be inspired and in awe… but of what? I guess I will discover.

But now…I am in Pnohm Penh, which is not a place filled with nature or friendly local cillagers, rather its a busy, bustling city with a long and painful history. This is a setting I would usually NOT be experiencing awe in.

Historically, I typically experience ‘wonder’ when I’m surrounded by nature… but this time, I’m far from it.

So maybe… this experience of “wonder” is intended to come from something I least expect.

Maybe there is another layer deeper here.

On the bus ride here, I had some time to myself to reflect and one of the things I observed lately is that I’ve not really been practising gratitude. For the past 3 weeks or so, I’ve been so worried about money and thinking about my plans for after my trip that I have honestly not been able to fully enjoy or be present with my trip.

Contrary to Bali, I feel more distracted and less present! It’s no wonder that I haven’t been able to express gratitude let alone to FEEL grateful. When I don’t feel grateful, I often lose myself in worry, fear and anxiety over not having enough, trying to figure out how to make things happen and feeling sorry for myself.

I was reminded that as the last leg of my trip approaches, to BE MORE PRESENT. To relax, surrender and to not get lost in my head thinking about the past or the future.

I have 3 days left in Cambodia and I wonder how the word “wonder” will continue to find its meaning for me here.

I’m writing this in my hotel in Pnohm Penh overlooking the city and I feel a sense of reverence knowing that tomorrow I will be going to the notorious ‘Killing Fields.’ I watched a few YouTube videos on it to educate myself and I already know it’s going to be quite full on. The entire premise of the regime behind these fields was to strip away ones sense of self and identity.

Perhaps I’ll discover more then.

I’ll keep you posted.