Grateful Moments: Cherishing the Highlights of 2023
As these last few hours of 2023 unfold, I’m still here in my room, away from all the festive clamor, thinking about and reflecting on the year that has gone by so quickly. It took forever for me to get to 21 years and out of nowhere, I will be turning 27 in 2024. Nevertheless, 2023 has been a year of significant change, unexpected turns, and personal growth. Amidst all this, I find myself filled with a profound sense of gratitude for all the memories and experiences that have enriched my life this year. Let me share with you the highlights that I’m truly thankful for.
Skiing Adventures in Gulmarg and Manali
Adventures this year started with an exhilarating Skiing journey to the Indian Himalayas, where I not only learned how to ski in Gulmarg but also managed to navigate through the tough backcountry slopes of Manali. While this was in Feb, I don’t remember what happened in Jan. I probably was waiting for February. Feeling the cold and crisp air, and the rush of going down on the slope, with the world whizzing by in white and blue, was the best experience I had. Each turn, jump, and fall was a dance with nature, a reminder of the beauty, thrill, and danger the world has to offer.
For these moments of pure joy and freedom, I am deeply grateful.
Trek to Har ki Dun
In March, after my Intermediate Skiing Course in Manali, I visited my newfound skiing friend in Udaipur, Himachal Pradesh, where we explored the unknown or lesser-known Miyar Valley in Lahaul. Immediately after this, I navigated my way for the Har Ki Dun trek in Sankri in Uttarakhand, India. The trek to Har ki Dun was a journey back in time, a path through Himalayan forests and rustic villages, leading to the Swargarohini Mountain, amidst a cradle-shaped valley with mythological significance. Every step of this trek was a story, and every landscape was a painting. The tranquility and beauty of the place filled me with a sense of peace and wonder.
For this chance to witness nature’s beauty and for the lessons learned along the path, I’m thankful.
Solo Motorbike Ride to North Sikkim
From Uttarakhand, I made my way to North East India. I stopped in different cities along the way. I was in Agra to visit the Taj Mahal, visited Delhi to meet the girl who put me in a situation, visited Lucknow, and somehow made my way to Varanasi where I met my mother who was also traveling there. From Varanasi, I went to Sikkim which I considered my second home. But this year, I realized that there is no home for the lost. Still, Sikkim and its people are very close to my heart. The solo bike ride to North Sikkim was not just a journey through highways or mountain roads; it was also a journey within. Each mile brought new challenges and beautiful views. I still remember one signage board on the trip that said — “Drive like hell and you’ll be there”. And I drove like hell. But the whole journey gave me time for introspection and brought me closer to freedom, and sheer adrenaline. The rugged beauty of Sikkim, with its monasteries, majestic lakes, and huge mountains, was a balm to my soul.
For the courage to embark on this solo adventure and for the memories made, I am grateful.
Back-to-Back Treks in Himachal Pradesh
After taking a short break in South India in June, I made my way back to the North. I met my friend again in Shimla and made our own route to Janglik — the starting point of Buran Ghati Trek (4,550M). This trek along with Yunam Peak(6,111M) which I did immediately after summiting Buran Pass— was a test of endurance and willpower. Each trek and each ascent brought its own challenges, from unpredictable weather to rough terrains. Reaching the summit, or not reaching the summit, was still a triumph of spirit and a moment of unparalleled beauty. The panoramic views that I witnessed during the treks, the sense of accomplishment, the sense of failure, and the friendships formed along the way are treasures I hold close to my heart.
For the strength I discovered in myself and for nature’s awe-inspiring beauty, I am thankful.
The Solace of Vipassana
In August, I embarked on a different kind of journey — a 10-day Vipassana meditation back in Hyderabad, India. It was a dive into the depths of my mind and body, a confrontation with my own thoughts and emotions. The less that I write about this experience, the better it is. I believe everyone has their own experience with Vipassana and I had mine. The silence throughout the 10 days was profound, and the experience — — “life-changing”. These 10 days taught me the power of stillness, the clarity that comes from introspection, and the importance of being present.
For this journey of self-discovery and the inner peace it brought, I am deeply grateful.
Dive Master Training with Gypsy Divers
My time with Gypsy Divers in Andaman is unexpected and unfinished but it turned out to be one of the highlights of my year. I am still doing my dive master training with Gypsy Divers in Havelock and will be doing so till the end of January 2024. In the last two months, I had the opportunity to travel to a different place because of Gypsy Divers. The underwater world is a different realm, a place of calm and vibrant life. Each dive was a lesson in patience, focus, and the wonders of marine life. The knowledge I gained about life below water and the joy of being around passionate people are things I’ll always cherish.
For the opportunity to explore this new world and for the community I found, I am thankful.
I am pretty sure there are many other experiences, like visiting Puri or going on a camping trip in Hyderabad to watch a comet, etc., that are already out of my mind. But nevertheless, I am grateful for them as well. I might not be able to recollect all these experiences at this stage but the little things matter. All those sunsets that I watched, the big and beautiful sunrise I saw just this morning, all the shooting starts I was able to spot this year, all the smiles that I had — I am grateful for them. And for all those experiences that brought me pain and heartache, I learnt my lessons. As I sit here, reminiscing about these experiences, I realize how much they’ve shaped me. They’ve taught me resilience, brought me joy, and given me a treasure trove of memories. For all these experiences and for the people who shared them with me, my heart is full of gratitude. Here’s to the year that’s been and to the adventures that await. Happy New Year!
