As we reach the end of another year, we tend to reflect on the words of Robert Burns of “auld lang syne”, or “old long since”, or simply “of days gone by”.
In such reflections we tend to reflect on those who have left us in the past year. For me, one of those losses that moved me the most was that of Anthony Bourdain. Today I share some lessons he taught us before he left us this past June.
Anthony Bourdain took his own life on June 8, 2018, and the next day I wrote about his passing :
As I write this on Friday evening, today around midday UK time I learned of the suicide of Anthony Bourdain. I met him once, I had been regaled by tales of the man by a mutual friend he and I had in common, and I loved his work. Somehow, inexplicably I was shaken, badly. I was floored, flattened. I felt so much, tears came to my eyes.
As I write this, I remain shaken. So, for this week’s post, a few words accompanied by two pictures to tell a thousand words.
“As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life — and travel — leaves marks on you. Most of the time, those marks— on your body or on your heart — are beautiful. Often, though, they hurt.” ~ Anthony Bourdain
He was a gifted man who is sorely missed.
Shortly after he passed, the producer of his TV series, Morgan Fallon, noted:
“At the core of what I think he did, and what I hoped we helped him do, was walk through any door, sit at any table with the same humility and respect, no matter who he was sitting across from,” Fallon said. “We need that more now than ever before. It’s a tremendous loss. He taught us to be curious, open and empathetic.”
Anthony Bourdain lived a vibrant, colourful and passionate life.
Above all, he modelled a life that teaches us to:
Be open, Be curious.