Lessons Learned from Anthony Bourdain's Life

By Ashley Paskill on June 24, 2018

To some, Anthony Bourdain was a chef who influenced their own culinary work and career in some way. To others, he was a writer. To many more, he was a TV personality who got to travel to the coolest places in the world to learn about various cultures and help break stereotypes about those cultures. To all who knew his work, Bourdain was an amazing inspiration who taught us so much about food, travel, and life in general.

1. “I’m not afraid to look like an idiot.”

So many times, we hold back from amazing experiences because we feel unqualified and that we will make a fool of ourselves. It is best to live as if we are dancing and nobody is watching. Do not hold back out of fear of looking like an idiot or making a mistake. If you make a mistake, learn from it and move on. On the flip side, there is no guarantee that you will make a mistake in any situation, so go experience new things wholeheartedly.

2. “You learn a lot about someone when you share a meal together.”

You may think you know someone, but sitting down with them and actually talking to them is a great way to learn more about them. You have more of an opportunity to have a deeper conversation with them to learn about their lives. However, it goes deeper than the conversation. Seeing how they treat the wait staff can reveal so much about their personality and seeing what they order gives you insight into how adventurous or health-conscious they are.

3. “Don’t lie about it. You made a mistake. Admit it and move on. Just don’t do it again. Ever.”

If you make a mistake, whether it is on an assignment in school, in the workforce, or in a relationship, do not cover it up. Own the fact that you made the mistake and learn from it. You will not feel better about it by hiding it. It will be found out eventually. Admit your mistake and make an effort to show that you are learning from it so that it will not happen again. Do not linger in guilt, as that will not help anything. Learn your lesson from your mistake, ask for forgiveness, forgive yourself, and move on.

4. “The journey is part of the experience — an expression of the seriousness of one’s intent.”

In other words, “It’s not about the destination; it’s about the journey. The journey is one of the most important parts of the experience, whether the destination is graduation or the journey of life. If you give up on the journey en route to your destination, it shows that you were never serious about your destination. However, if you are serious about the journey and its completion, you will stay strong in your intent to see it through, no matter how much you struggle to reach the finish line of your destination.

 

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