Twenty seconds of courage

During my magical time in India, I spent a few months in Mcleod Ganj. This is the town where the Dalai Lama is based and there is a huge Tibetan refugee community here. I arrived in the town not really knowing what to expect. I didn't really have much planned when I first arrived in the country and when I was trying to work out next steps, I kept referring to my bible sized Lonely Planet and for some reason I would always open up the page to this little town. As soon as I arrived, I completely fell in love. Everything fell into place for me quiet quickly. What I initially planned to be a three week stay, turned into just over two months. I loved the small town, with 3 main streets, life was so insular and simple. I went to study Ayurveda in the mornings, would catch up with friends and then I would go to work at the Rogpa Baby Care Centre in the afternoons.

There are many westerners coming and going throughout the town. Many coming for the Dalai Lama teachings, some come to learn yoga, many come and volunteer. There is a lot to do for everyone. It is such a melting pot of cultures with your obvious Indian influence, meshed in with a strong Tibetan flavour and every other culture combined together. This was the perfect combination for me, as I was able to meet people from so many diverse backgrounds.

One morning, while I was enjoying breakfast in one of my favourite cafes, I was reading one of the many books I had picked up on Ayurveda. A much older lady came into the cafe by herself to eat breakfast too, she was seated in the table opposite me and came over to me to start chatting about the book that I was reading. It happened that the lady knew the author and there started our instant connection. I asked her to join me for breakfast. Meeting kindred spirits makes my heart sing. I think that is why I travel so much, you tend to meet them when exploring the world. We had a lot in common. It was nice. 

I always find it funny how you can connect with a person you just met, tell them your life story, your hopes and your fears without any qualms in the world. 

She sat and listened attentively to my story. I sat and listened to her in awe. I call her a guardian angel. I never saw her again. But the mark she left on me, will always stay with me. When we parted ways, she left me with these words of advice

All you need is 20 seconds of courage...

The sun can rise and set in the matter of a few minutes. Enough to turn darkness into light. We too can change the course of our lives from our comfort zone to raw, open, freedom.

                                                              A magical Indian sunset 

Today, as I was pondering on matters of vulnerability that have come up in the past few weeks and has left me quiet raw, I remembered those golden words. I went out at lunch to a local card shop and found a card to release all of those words from my heart that just needed to be said. To me that wasn't as hard a deal, as actually putting the card in the mailbox. I almost chickened out, but then I remembered that all I really needed was a few seconds of sheer, brave courage. I have had a few thoughts cross my mind, thinking of how I can somehow reverse this card, maybe I could go and get it from the mailbox before the recipient receives it, but alas it is a bit of a trek. I am more at ease with myself knowing that my moment of courage today has made me stronger and more vulnerable than ever before.

My advice to you, is to do whatever it is that freaks you out, whatever it is that you have been analysing again and again, do what it takes to go beyond that. No expectations. Just sheer courage and strength.