Parenting and baggage
I wrote this when I was on the ‘Everest Base Camp’ trek. I used to update my friends about my experiences. This update was on day 6 of the trek.
No connectivity for the last three days. So no updates. Love you all. We are absolutely fit and fine. It’s been awesome. Reached Gorakshep a few minutes ago. This is the last step before EBC. Normally people take a one day break here. Since we all are feeling fit, going to EBC today itself.
Leaving for EBC after lunch.
Met two New Zealanders. Their age? 68 and 69. Got to know their name – Peter and Phil. They were best friends. It is Peter’s birthday tomorrow and they had decided to celebrate it on EBC. Wow!!! Saw the baggage they had. Three incredible small backpacks. That’s it. My baggage was bigger than both of them put together. Felt so awkward. They looked at my baggage and without any comment looked away graciously.
I realised, there have been times, when I carried too much baggage (in my head and heart), and it slowed me down. It robbed joy away. It made me egoistic. Scanned my present and found to my chagrin, there were few unwanted baggages in nooks and corners of the mind.
Sat to meditate and drop the unwanted baggage. Needless to say, am feeling light.
Peter asked me, “Since when have you been trekking?”
Sheepishly, I replied, “This is my FIRST EVER trek”.
He was taken aback and he replied, “You have chosen a very difficult start. I started trekking when I was 16. Why are you so late?”
I had no answer to his question. I guess the question applies to all of US.
My dear friends, “WHAT WOULD YOUR ANSWER BE?”
Met two Britishers – Sam and Roxane. They were carrying their OWN baggage. They had no guide. No Sherpa porter. They were completely by themselves.
We are three of us. We have two porters and a guide !!!
I asked Shripad, how do they manage? Shripad shared, they follow maps. They have taught themselves how to read contour maps too. Crucially, their parents teach them to think for themselves, to be independant, and most importantly, to be “Courageous.”
As Indians, we are too possessive of our children. We want children to take our approval even after they have their own children!!!
A few of them do become independent but for most, it is too late. Hence, we typically see creativity AND courage missing.
Learnt so much about parenting and baggage. I for certain, believe, crucial aspects of my life has been illuminated.
