“You are you independent of where in the world you are.”

“You are you independent of where in the world you are.”

— Mom.

This line from Mom has been with me for the past couple of days, as there have been some battles in my mind regarding my trip to India.

Last Friday she asked me what I was going to do for the weekend. I responded saying that most of it was going to be work and reading, but that I was taking a little tour to a park. She asked how I was doing, and asked if there wasn’t anything else to do. I responded with that I like my work, and doing my stuff. Then she asked me, half and half in anger I guess: “Have you traveled to the other side of the world just to see the inside of an office?”

And quite frankly, the answer to that question is: Mainly, yes.

There are two parts to that. The trip I’m on was initiated because I was going to do work. Of course, I could work outside the office as well, but not knowing the city and the culture here, I don’t really feel as comfortable sitting somewhere else.

And the other is that working is one of the best things I know. I’m not too fond of sightseeing or any of that touristy kind of stuff. I’m very happy with a book or my laptop, just collecting my thoughts or working. Added to that, I had a couple of amazing people in the office as well, and we were having a good time.

And a couple of days after that, in response to a text, she wrote that line. And it just stayed with me. I am who I am regardless of the location. I enjoy early mornings, reading and working. I can stretch at times, but that’s basically the things I enjoy.

Who are you, and are you the same regardless of the location?