“Bright and early” they say… Well, I don’t know where they got the “bright” part from because when we woke up at 3 am this morning, it was pitch dark! But with our duffle bags packed and our backpacks ready the night before, we set off with our trusty guide to the local Manthali airport in Nepal, which was about a 4 hour drive from the hotel. Stopping mid-way for a cup of natural blend chai tea and a leg stretch, we reached the airport around 6 30.
When we arrived, we instantly saw that there are a LOT of people who want to trek to Everest Base Camp… This sight was actually quite humbling for me and made me think about the fact that many people may have the same goal as you, but that should not determine your attitude and determination towards it. We often see other people working towards the same things as us, and we then try to turn a personal achievement or journey into a competition or race. However, what we should realise is that we will do ourselves a great service if we keep our focus on your own journey (or destination) because that is what really matters: your personal growth and accomplishment. While getting closer to your goal, and as the journey gets progressively more difficult, you will observe the crowds thinning right before your eyes. Not all the faces that were at the starting line will continue to complete the journey; only the resilient and dedicated few will actually make it to the top and those are also the ones who would have remained focussed on their own path. I experienced this first hand during our Mount Kilimanjaro climb where, in general, only about 40% of the people who start the climb actually complete the entire journey. But, again, that’s another story for another day – back to the present-day goal.
Satvika: “Everest Base Camp here we come!”
Mother Nature: “Not so fast, Satvika.”
Shortly after arriving at Manthali airport, we found out that, due to rain and poor visibility at our destination airport in Lukla, all flights to and from there were grounded. I felt like I was having Déjà Vu because when we were here in Nepal last year, our trek to Kailash was severely delayed due to the same reason.
As I channel my upset feelings about the situation into something constructive and creative, I’m writing this post so you can feel this emotional upset with me (yep, I really meant what I said when I told you I want you to feel like you are on this journey with me by experiencing the good parts and the challenges). But before I cause a great depression among readers (and myself), even though there is some disappointment that comes with this uncontrollable force of nature, there is also an important lesson that everyone should get to practice at some stage of their life. I learnt this lesson very well during the Mount Kailash trek (recall that I said this feels like Déjà Vu), but, somehow, I seemed to have forgotten it and that’s probably why the universe thought I needed some revision.
We need to always be aware of the fact that we are not in control of everything in our lives. No matter how much we plan and prepare and put in risk mitigation measures (apologies for the unusual phrase, that’s my engineering brain talking) for an event or journey, something completely unexpected, unplanned and far beyond your control could happen, which will turn your well-thought-out plan on its head. If (when) this happens, the lesson we need to learn and practice is to not let it affect your long-term goal and to accept that what happened was beyond your control and adapt the plan to suit the circumstances. I know what you’re thinking, “much easier said than done, Satvika” and yes, I agree with you, I’m experiencing it right now, but I am also trying to accept it and adapt.
So, as I patiently wait for Mother Nature to grant me an updated ‘completion and competency’ certificate (apologies again, the engineering brain is over-active today), I invite you to take note of this lessen as well and to start practicing it in your own real-life situations.
P.S. Another take-away from this experience, and something I fully believe in, is that everything happens for a reason, whether you realise it at the time or at all. Trust the universe and remember that it will always conspire with you in your favour.
P.P.S I just re-read this post and realised we have practiced, not just 1, but 3 important life lessons today #winning
Let us know what your key take-away is. We would love to hear from you.
P.P.P.S I really hope we can fly tomorrow…
Bye for now.
Fingers crossed xxx
“Trust the universe and remember that it will always conspire with you in your favour.”