How life’s little moments can truly inspire you?
Suddenly we have so much time. So much time to think and also so much time to worry perhaps. Right now I am only thinking of how there are times that we become our own inspiration…. This was when we were in Bhutan about 2 years ago. Gingerly my wife and I committed to go half way up to the Tiger’s Nest. That too by horseback, thinking that it will be the walk down that we shall do. Even the horseback ride was a bit scary for me. The horses knew the way and for some reason would prefer to walk right at the dangerous edge. Each time my heart would skip a beat. And the thought would cross my mind that should we turn around.
At the Taktsang Cafe we sat down to have a coffee and some biscuits. A pretty horrible coffee I might add. And as we chatted we took the decision to walk ahead. My wife was the prime motivator. Again, the thought was that we will turn back whenever it felt too much.
But we never gave up…. and despite our low level of fitness we ever so slowly made our way up to the revered monastery.
There were many a fabulous view that we saw. Many many awe-inspiring spots. Many a walker who egged us along. Many sprightly older people that us were walking so effortlessly. That motivated us to push ourselves.
The way back was even tougher. And got definitely concerning as the light faded. The last bit had to be managed with the torches on our phone. Only a stray dog as a companion and our protector. Here I want to add how mortified I am of strays. This one, however, was one of God’s angels sent to protect and guide us. After a long time I understood and accepted that.
But at the end the most inspiring fact was that we did it. And whenever I think back I am inspired to take on my next challenge.
Coming back to today.
Over some years now I have been living with a lot of challenges. And quite honestly they have dampened my spirit. At some point I realised that I just have to take one day at a time and work through my challenges. Also I must say that each and every person I know has stood by me unflinchingly. That not only has been my saving grace but my greatest source of inspiration. Right now perhaps we are facing one our hardest and greatest challenges. The question is how and if we shall escape unscathed.
The more I think about life the more I am certain that however long we have here, each one of us must live inspired. This has been shown the most clearly to me by my solidest rock, my wife, Mrs G. Ever so often she will ask me just as we lay down to sleep…. What inspired you today? And this gets me thinking about my day and then talking some. And nearly always I shall forget about asking her the same back. But she never grudges me that. She is just so happy hearing about my inspiring moments.
And no matter how hard a day has been, when I think back there will always be something or someone that inspired me.
This picture has been taken on one my truly inspiring days. It was a beautiful mountain day with just the right amount sunshine. Enough to warm you and not strong enough to burn you. Gentle and soothing. The mountain air was crisp. We were at an extremely secluded & pristine point of one of the tributaries of the river Beas. The water was pure and chilled, and it quenched the thirst of the soul. We had some home made biryani that was heated up on a small twigs fire. As we dug into the delicious food we felt nourished and truly inspired.
It is all these beautiful moments and memories that keep coming back into my consciousness as I sit and ponder on what life might me like after the debilitating anxiety, helplessness and the bewilderment of it all. What will inspire me next?
Written by Mohit Gupta
Week 13, March ’20
