A Shrewd Rabbit Has Three Caves
- Selana Kong
- Jan 24, 2023
- 3 min read
As a Chinese proverb says, "A shrewd rabbit has three caves". This resembles an English proverb - "The rabbit has but one hole is quickly taken ". You could see how cultures are more similar than you think! In both cultures, rabbits symbolise quickness, versatility, and resilience.
I am born in the year of the rabbit and I have fully embraced the resilient and peace-loving nature of the rabbit. Read my true story below and find out how you can be more resilient, too.
"A shrewd rabbit has three caves" - Chinese Proverbs
I was brought up in city life in Hong Kong. My first culture shock when I moved to Toronto in 1993 was how far apart everything was. I was fortunate to get a driving license and a car very soon. But then, I was shocked again when I went to university in London, Ontario. I was depressed by the deserted streets at night, especially during the weekends. I missed the busy streets of Hong Kong during some of the snowiest, darkest, quietest, and longest winter nights. Quickly, I discovered that my friends and I can visit each other easily at home because we have far more living space compared to the way we used to be when we lived in small flats in Hong Kong. After about 18 months, my homesickness was cured.
After I graduated from university, I worked in many international schools in Hong Kong and Beijing where I experienced the best of both worlds. The convenience of living in big cities, coupled with a warm and vibrant expatriate community from all over the world.
In 2014, I went to the UK to receive cultural leadership training. It opened my eyes to see how versatile UK musicians are. I was involved in a lot of music activities at the time and I was inspired by the way most UK musicians have a diversified career or what is called a "portfolio" career. For example, a singer would also be a player, a songwriter, a community college teacher, a youth leader, a mother, and a bartender on the weekend all at the same time. They are curious about me because my own music teaching career was much more "focused" and has a much narrower bandwidth. I decided to conduct research about the portfolio career of UK musicians in 2016. I remember one of the musicians said to me that if she does not have to do everything by herself, she would feel "de-skilled".
I went to Bejing afterwards and worked in a British School where I started to "do things by myself" and diversify my skillset. For example, I created my own teaching resources instead of buying them. I started my life coaching career on the side while teaching full-time.
In 2018, my peace-loving nature of a rabbit came out and I helped a business leader in Hong Kong resolve a large-scale conflict between her organisation and the government. This powerful experience inspired me to pursue a mediation qualification.
This new qualification enables me to manage my own conflict as well as pathed my future to become an international mediator, coach, and corporate governance consultant in the UK in 2021. My career has become much more versatile, resilient, and interesting as I get to work with people from all over the world.
So this is how I am a rabbit through and through. I wish you all an agile, healthy, and wise year of the rabbit ahead!
Here is a couple of free online events to join an intercultural journey and help you become an interculturalist:
Topic: International Mediation Experience Sharing Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2023
Time: 1:00 pm London
Register free below:
Topic: Intercultural Business Strategy
Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2023
Time: 3:00 pm London
Register free below:
Comments