Growing up in Asia, I experienced a kind of innocence that I didn’t fully appreciate until I lived elsewhere. Neighbors’ doors were open—literally and figuratively. I could walk into a friend’s home unannounced, see them in their pajamas, and it was perfectly normal. Once, I fell and needed stitches; it was my neighbor’s mom who took me to the clinic. My mom didn’t question it—trust was a given, not a luxury.
We grew up assuming people were good because, in our world, they were. There was no need for formality or pretense. It wasn’t about appearances; it was about showing up for each other.
Then I lived in other parts of the world—Europe, the U.S.—and I saw the contrast. In Europe, friendships felt deep, even if brief. In the U.S., there’s a lot of talk, but real presence is rare. It’s easy to get lost in the noise of promises and handshakes that mean little.
But here’s what I’ve learned: sincerity exists everywhere. It’s just that, unlike my childhood, you can’t assume it—you have to feel for it. And when you find it, you’ll know, because their words will match their actions.
So, look around you. Do your doors—physical or emotional—stay open? And more importantly, when someone walks through, do you show up for them, no questions asked?
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