Service is Everything! How often do you wake up in the morning anxious to be of service?

As I continue to reflect on my experiences in hospitality, I realize that I have many stories to share, and hope that these will always be of interest to you.  Therefore, appreciate it if you would let me know when you have stopped reading before I stopped writing.

The personal satisfaction gained from serving others is beyond words. 

Here is a memorable story that overwhelmingly brought joy to me and the staff at Ocean Park.

Sang Lan was an accomplished Chinese gymnast when an accident while competing at the 1998 Goodwill Games in New York left her paralyzed from the mid-chest down.   It was a tragic accident for the young, aspiring 17-year-old who had tremendous potential for great success in gymnastics.   She survived the accident, but it ended her career and left her in a wheelchair.   After a year of rehabilitation and therapy in New York following the accident, she returned home to China.  

You can imagine our excitement at Ocean Park when we were notified that Sang Lan wanted to visit Ocean Park with her family. 

She had been home recuperating for several years since her accident and we were told that one of her strong desires was to spend a day at Ocean Park Hong Kong.   A visit to Ocean Park would be a dream come true for her.  

We responded immediately and enthusiastically.   Sang Lan and her family would be our guests for a day, and I would personally guide them on their visit.   Our team developed an itinerary for her from arrival to departure.   

We would ensure that this was a day filled with joy and many fond memories for her.

For me, the day could not arrive soon enough.  The anticipation of meeting this brave young girl was overwhelming.   On that long-awaited day of her arrival, we gathered at the front entrance of the Park to give her a royal welcome.    From the moment I met Sang Lan, I found her to be full of life despite her disability.  She had a smile that stretched from ear to ear.  She was courteous, and so very graciously appreciative to be at Ocean Park.   Her demeanor, personality, and positive attitude mesmerized all of us.   It was so heartwarming for me to be her host for the day.

Although she was not able to experience the mechanical rides, we visited many of the other attractions throughout the day and enjoyed a fabulous lunch together.   She taught me so much about life and finding strength to overcome adversity.   She was brave, happy, and determined to live a full and normal life.   Sang Lan was a tremendous inspiration to me that brought tears to my eyes and warmth to my heart.  Her smile was overpowering and never waned throughout the day.   It was a wonderful day for her but even more so for our staff and especially for me.  

As much as we brought excitement and happiness to her, she brought so much more to us.  

When the day ended, I was saddened to see her go but proud that we were able to bring joy to her and her family.   She had a handful of souvenirs to take home that would remind her of us and her very fun day at Ocean Park.  

Service is EVERYTHING for us and the satisfaction in knowing that we were able to deliver and impact someone’s life, fulfill a dream, is what we live for every single day.   I hope that Sang Lan will always cherish her day at Ocean Park as much as we cherish the chance to meet her and to be of service.  I shall always remember meeting Sang Lan and the lesson she taught me that day.  If I could meet Sang Lan again, it would be my dream come true.  Perhaps she will read this article and know my happiness in meeting her.  It was surely one of the finest days of my career. 

How often do you wake up in the morning anxious to be of service?  For me, it is every day.