Lessons from top roping

One of my resolutions for 2013 was to do one thing every month that scares me. It was time to fight the inner demons, and so I spent last three weeks tackling fear of heights - got enrolled in a top roping class. For someone who freaks out after climbing three meters, this was a bit extreme. But you gotta do what u gotta do. I did panic and felt that my heart will leap out of my chest, but I learnt - more than I expected.

Lesson #1. Life begins at the end of your comfort zone

Thats the first thing our instructor, Ralf told us - the three important zones of our life.

Operating in the comfort zone is easy, but we hardly learn anything new. Panic zone completely shuts off our minds, and our basic survival instincts kicks in. I like fear, it challenges me to try what I feel I can't do. Not gonna lie, but I did my adrenaline shot once I started climbing beyond my comfort zone. I guess thats where I entered the learning zone. Fear of falling mixed with willingness to climb one step  higher was the perfect cocktail at this stage. But if we don't challenge to broaden our learning zone, its very easy to fall back in the rut and being comfortable.

Lesson #2. Getting to the top is not important, its how you get there

Climbing that 10 meters wall (with my condition) as a first timer seemed utterly impossible three weeks back. Panicking along the tricky routes did not help either. So what worked for my friends didn't actually work for me. It took me two weeks to figure out my style of climbing. I think the same goes for life as well. Often we get frustrated with our slow pace of what we define as "progress", especially when we see our contemporaries climbing up the "steps" much faster than us. We have made our lives a mere rat race competing with friends, family and neighbors, focussing only on the end goals with the inability to enjoy the journey to reach them. Whats the point of working towards something if we can't relish the moments spent in it? I have learnt my way to the top of the wall definitely with fear and scratches, but also with lots of laughter and camaraderie.

Lesson #3. Trust your partner 

In climbing, your life literally depends on your partner. More than the climber, its the belayer that plays the most important role of this sport. Not only your partner will help in your ascent, but can also break your fall and prevent you from hitting the ground, incase you miss a step and slip. This means having ton of trust and patience in your partner. When the climb is rough its very easy to lose cool, so great communication with ton of encouragement is a must. Just like real relationships, no? Whoever said the journey to the top is a lonely one, was definitely myopic. We all need 'belayers' in our lives who not only helps us in our personal growth, but will also watch our backs incase we happen to fall. Its all about having the best interests for each other at heart.

Lesson #4. Whatever happens, never let go

If you have made up your mind to climb the height, no matter how frightful it looks, don't let go. Tricky path means more challenge, not an excuse to give up.  Feel the fear, make it real but trust your arms and legs to keep you hanging up there. Because the joy of overcoming that threshold is ecstatic.

As for me, I will end the rant here with this pic, 'coz my arms are still sore from yesterday's climb. So whatever new you want to do with your life, climbing or otherwise, just do it, no excuses. But most importantly, enjoy it!

P.S. Hug a climber today, they are very friendly people. ;) 

A moment too perfect

As I scribble this post down, I am soaking in the late afternoon sun while enjoying a glass of Schorle and listening to "Spiem in Alium" in the background. If this wasn't perfect enough, let me add that my desk faces this amazing Hamburg forest view. I must say, living in the 9th floor has its own perks!

Life has been good lately and I am so grateful with the recent turn of events. I have come to believe that these small incidents of my life will eventually transform into larger-than-life events. Small joys of life, I say. Like the little 2 hour hike I did today morning. The forest near Triftstraße attracted me from the moment I saw it yesterday. Its deep, dark and so inviting. And I surrendered myself to nature finally.

I grew up in a city surrounded my lush forests and hills. Thanks to my dad, me and my brother grew up hiking through these forest trails. Wonderful hiking memories about my dad making stories about the forest as we walked around exploring the place. Robbers, pirates, dinosaurs and sometimes even aliens walked the same paths as we did. Oh what a wonderful way to ignite a child's vivid imagination!  As I was hiking today through this forest, all these old memories came rushing to me all at once. A moment too perfect, and it was all mine to savour. Of course I didn't have my two favorite men beside me today, but the company of Beethoven and Mozart wasn't bad either. And before I knew it, I was walking for around 2 hours and not even half of the forest was covered. But then I have a year ahead of me in this place -  to explore, enjoy and get pampered by nature.

And to my surprise and delight there is a horse riding club at the edge of the forest - guess its time I finally explore another long lost interest of mine! I now officially open myself to all possibilities life has to offer. I have come to believe that letting life come to you, and then surrendering to it can make our lives a collection of perfect memories - even if its bad at times, transition will always happen. This is something I learnt from the current transitional phase which has moved me from a negative problematic phase to a positive serene phase. I am not qualified enough to speak about Heaven and Hell, but there are times I feel that somewhere and somehow I do have some kind of guardian angel, always watching over me and helping me through difficult life situations. And at this point of my life I feel lucky and blessed to be able to experience the small joys of life. I am not sure, dear reader, if you can truly get what I want to say but maybe the following few lines of Rumi might help - 

"In every moment, in every event of your life, the Beloved is whispering to you exactly what you need to hear and know. Who can ever explain this miracle? It simply is. Listen and you will discover it every passing moment. Listen, and your whole life will become a conversation in thought and act between you and Him, directly, wordlessly, now and always." 

So I raise my glass now and drink to a wonderful year ahead with nature, exploring and more interesting activities, but most importantly to a moment too perfect.