The Road Less Traveled
By Pattaya Pete
I was recently reminded of the nature of doing business in a place like Pattaya when a friend and associate told me about a deal gone bad for him with someone he had known for over 7 years. The deal was of the usual kind here in Pattaya and involved the partnership of a bar. It reminded me of a time living here when I too was involved in a network of people who busied themselves in making deals, some of which were above board others of which were quick moving paper deals that usually involved someone losing one way or another.
Of course anyone would agree with me that the best made deals are the ones that are win-win propositions where everyone maintains a high degree of moral integrity.
One thing I realize about a place like Pattaya is that it attracts people from all cultures and what one man make conceive as a contract based on let's say a hand shake and a verbal promise is another person's small talk. It goes without saying that any business deal should always be written out and professionally handled as to make perfectly clear everyone involved understands exactly what those expectations are.
Before I came to Pattaya, I had operated a business with a friend who was more like a brother and we still designed a legal contract that made everything we both expected very clear and allowed for worst case scenarios that protected both of us equally. I've seen business deals here in Pattaya talked about over litres of ale and come the day after were mostly forgotten.
Whether it be in a business setting or outside the business setting I think it is important to remember the importance of acting with integrity and respect when interacting with others. The concept of cause and effect for example states in simple terms that for any action there is an equal reaction. This can also be said of the multitude of choices we make in a given day. It is very important to concentrate on making sure all of those things we, think, do and say are coming from a place of integrity, respect and yes, love both for ourselves and for the other person. This is usually much easier to do in theory than practice. I am constantly reminded of this when I drive the roads here in Pattaya and need to restrain myself from calling most people on the road "boneheads"?
There is a book I recently was told about called The Four Agreements written by Don Ruiz (www.miguelruiz.com) that talks about four agreements in life that are good to live by. I hope you find them as interesting as I do.
1. Be Impeccable With Your Word
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using your words to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.
One of the things I have always found amazing about the Thai culture is the importance the Thai's put on the spoken word in terms of respect. It is one of the few languages that I know that ends all of their statements with “polite present particles” i.e. khrap, kha, la, na. I believe it truly is a spiritual testimony to the concept of First there was the word.
2. Don't Take Anything Personally
Nothing others do is because of you generally speaking. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dreams. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.
3. Don't Make Assumptions
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.
4. Always Do Your Best
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to when you are sick. Under any circumstances, simple do your best and you will avoid self-judgement, self-abuse and regret.
Well, there you have it. Perhaps, as we travel through life and our paths inevitable touches so many others' paths, if we keep these 4 agreements in mind we will not only improve our own state of mind but of all those we come in contact with. This is what we mean when we say, to walk, The Road Less Traveled.
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