Reflecting upon year which just passed by, 2018
2018, turned out to be the most productive, fruitful year. Unlike all those which passed by earlier. On our journeys, we come across people who inspire us. Inspiration may be a result of seeing the way in which a person leads His/Her life. Sometimes, it is this which creates the strong drive from within to take action. Pursue, learn things which made a difference.
It was out of inspiration that I took the plunge to say a “Yes” to Adventure. One of those things which years ago appeared to be madness to me. Seeing people Jump from greater heights, rafting the river and rafts getting flipped.
Going to the mountains resonated with earlier patterns of sickness. So, trekking never came in as an option.
January 2018 — Out of willingness, I went for the first trek. Nandi Durga it was. Met bunch of people. And a simple line by a fellow trekker made me contemplate on a lot many things. “If not now, then when”. While I was discussing with him that I don’t really know how to do it. I am not fit for it. In response what I heard was “This is the time that you have. Are you going to go for it when the knees start to pain? And body would not support you?”
February 2018 — Wall Climbing. “What if, my feet slip from the block? I’ll be in the air just with a harness tied around me.” Had to be done. Contrary to the small talks in the head. Attempted it thrice. Thrice I was hanging in mid-air. I was having time of my life.
March 2018-May 2018 — All I had exposure to was everyone doing one thing in common. Eat, sleep, work repeat. The routine. Knowing someone managing it all along with passionately pursuing one adventure sport. This had to be done was an instinctive reaction. The long-distance cycling ride came into life this way. It all started with a ride to remember.
The journey made the ride special. I wanted to experience it more. The most challenging ride was an 80km ride to Manchanabele Dam. Hands shivering, legs shivering. Cycle. And that constant drive from within “come on don’t give up. Just one pedal more”. After this twice it was Hesaraghatta Lake.
Embracing adventure or jumping onto things we fear doing. Leads to a lot of learning. It is here where I realized the meaning of “Follow your Heart”. Yet, it had less impact. Then I was explained why it is said the way it is. There was satisfaction understanding the fact.
Be fearless, have no fears was another learning this year. Attempting all of this was a way to embrace the fear and still, go for it.
August 2018 — First-time weekend trek to a place 400km from Bangalore Kodachadri. Till the very last minute, I was doing small talks yes, no, yes. Once you have taken a stand. Don’t go back. And I headed out. This was to celebrate a small win. Post the trek. Came an unexpected opportunity on its way. Invitation as a guest author for Team4Adventure. Happiness had no bounds. Here is the experience.
September 2018 — October 2018 — A visit to Paradise on earth — Kashmir. Horse Riding to Baisaran. Cycle ride to Qutub Minar after a gap of 5 months happened. And nature hiking to The lost lake.
November 2018 — And this time I was inspired by yet another thing. A blog by Team4Adventure founder himself Mr. Sachidanand Swami. The blog was titled You can do it too. Fear of water and two failed attempts of learning to swim in first place. Made Kayaking as a sport still look intimidating. What if the Kayak flips kind of question still crosses my head. But, the drive to one day go for it made me take a step ahead. Hands down. Learn swimming. This time with a changed and controlled mindset. I hit the waters again. From the point of not being ready to lift the feet and float in water because of intense fear. To the point of at least being able to swim to some distance. The change was a result of the sudden drive. Kayaking the river is still distant. The attempt is to be comfortable with water first. It was worth re-attempting to swim. Something I had given up on. Needs to be made an everyday activity.
December 2018 — The year was nearing its end. This too had to be tried. Sent the first talk proposal for tech Meetup. PyData Delhi. Accepted. From only speaking speeches for a minute or two in school. Or giving presentations as a part of group projects. For the first time, there was an opportunity to be there and talk for an hour. Make a difference in others life. The only thing which struck mind was to Pay it forward.
None of the aforementioned things was a resolution. Nor were these a bucket list of items I was ticking off. Things happened the way they did.
The reason they happened was a result of the drive from within which was created out of things which inspired to take the action. Desire so strong that excuses or rather the short talks with self could not overpower.
Amidst all of this, a beautiful thing was shared as well. Don’t let things, thoughts hold you back. Have no apprehensions. Leap. This was yet another learning which amazed me. And was something to get rid of. Easier said than done. But, yes. We only set the limitations, boundaries for ourselves.
I can do this, I cannot do this.
Often in life, we wait or postpone things we want to do with an excuse. If I achieve X. Or if I am able to fix X. Then I will do what I wanted to do. The Y.
This year made me realize. Whatever it is. It is now. Rest of the things challenges life throws can be handled on the go. The journey called life will never be a smooth ride. Waiting for the ideal time, or people will only lead to postponing of things you wanted to do.
This year I received the best of the book recommendations as well. Some books I managed to completely read and reflect upon were
- Follow your heart, Andrew Matthews
- The Last Lecture, Randy Pausch
- Jonathan Livingston Seagull, Richard Bach
- Tuesdays with Morrie, Mitch Albom
There are times when books inspire us to take actions in life. Make us believe in our own decisions. Mentioned books have played a key role as well.
Here, I am. Unaware of what 2019 holds. With no resolutions. But, after all these years proud about how 2018 has passed by. There is nothing which can give more happiness than experiencing moments where you have found a changed self. Moments which helped you grow as a person.
Seagull or a Jonathan Livingston Seagull? :)
