Life Tapestry.

Life Tapestries | Intentional Living, Faith, & Creative Reflection

Tag: challenging

  • Four best lesson that 2023 taught me!

    The profound lesson that I gleaned from the tumultuous journey of 2023 is one that instills gratitude and a refusal to complain about life’s adversities. Despite encountering myriad highs and lows, including experiences of humiliation, shame, failures, disapproval, downfall, and the painful loss of loved ones, I find solace in acknowledging the transformative power of this challenging year.

    Regrettably, I confess that I struggled to accept myself during this period and, at times, found it difficult to seek divine intervention through prayer. Moments of questioning my very existence clouded my perspective. However, I realize now that my struggles were not eternal, my failures were not permanent, for 2023 granted me the opportunity to power down my internal engines and initiate a rejuvenating restart. Through this process, I’ve managed to re-focus my life and rediscover the capacity to smile once more.

    Expressing gratitude for the individuals who played pivotal roles in my life, teaching me profound lessons through their presence, I have come to appreciate the diversity of these lessons—some being the harshest, others sweet or bitter. Despite the challenges, I harbor no regrets about embracing these experiences. My earnest prayer extends to each of them, hoping they find or continue to experience the best that life has to offer.

    Allow me to share a few lessons from my 2023 odyssey:

    1. Politely refusing someone in a superior position is not an act of disrespect; rather, it signifies a person of integrity and self-respect.
    2. Recognize that the world extends beyond your limited perspective; embracing the diversity it offers can be a source of invaluable life lessons.
    3. Prioritize your well-being and mental health, even if it means disappointing others. In the grand scheme, it’s your life, not theirs.
    4. Life is ephemeral, and harboring resentment towards undeserving individuals is a futile endeavor. Embrace the wisdom of letting go and moving forward.

    These four insights encapsulate my learning from the past year, and I sincerely hope they prove beneficial to you in times of similar challenges. Take courage, stand up for yourself, for the sands of time do not grant us the luxury of reliving the same year. Seize the moment, act promptly, lest it be too late. Wishing everyone a fulfilling and prosperous 2024.

  • Benefits from partaking a month-long wholesome trip

    Daily writing prompt
    Do you have a favorite place you have visited? Where is it?
    View all responses

    One of the best places I’ve visited so far is Leh Ladakh, India. Initially, I wasn’t familiar with the location and had limited knowledge about it. Formerly part of Jammu and Kashmir, it was known for its apples, snow, and share disputed borders with Pakistan and China (That was what I knew before visiting Leh Ladakh).

    I traveled there with a group of young people for a leadership training program that included international students. Proudly representing India and the Northeast, we embarked on this journey. Upon arrival, we had to acclimate to the climatic conditions and high altitude at the airport before proceeding to our destination.

    Adapting to the altitude was challenging for me, especially due to my sinusitis. As someone who often breathes through my mouth rather than my nose, I was bedridden for a week, missing out on opportunities to explore and play in the snow.

    Despite the initial setback, our experience in Leh Ladakh was filled with exciting activities. We hiked, rode camels, kayaked downstream, visited monuments and stupas, savored Ladakhi cuisine, immersed ourselves in Ladakhi culture, and learned about their lifestyles. We spent time at the SECMOL campus, listened to inspiring speakers, and even had the privilege of meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama, gaining enlightenment from his wisdom.

    The trip provided a comprehensive package of new friendships, cultural insights, navigating through young adult life, and most importantly, an understanding of the impact of global warming and environmental changes on glaciers, the natural habitat of the snow leopard, and the local vegetation. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and hope to return one day to relive it, of course, in good health. That was a wholesome trip, and the memories are truly cherished.

  • Best food

    If you are uncomfortable with discussions about eating meat or the process of obtaining it, feel free to skip this part. I’ll be sharing some insights into my food habits today.

    As a non-vegetarian, I enjoy eating meat at least once or twice a week. My preference leans towards chicken and fish, as I find them more appealing than other types of meat. While I occasionally consume meat from the jungle, chicken and fish remain my top choices.

    Duck or turkey meat is considered a luxury for me, and I don’t have the opportunity to indulge in them frequently. Additionally, I personally find their taste not comparable to that of chicken or fish.

    However, I do experience a sense of guilt when animals, particularly those familiar to me or considered as pets, are involved. If an animal were my pet, I would hesitate to consume it. This sentiment is one reason why I avoid keeping pets, as I find it emotionally challenging to let them go.

    This sensitivity extends to my friendships as well. I am selective about who I accept as a friend, as I struggle with the idea of letting people go from my life, much like my sentiments towards pets.

    While I enjoy eating meat and exploring different cooking styles, I prefer sticking to familiar options and may be hesitant to try unfamiliar dishes.

  • A parrot in a cage

    Have you ever felt the paradox of being free to fly on your own while being bound within certain constraints? It may sound absurd, but I’ve been there. Despite being aware that I could be anything I wanted and had the right to make my own decisions, I often felt confined to a small, protected zone. It was akin to being a parrot in a cage (if you catch my drift)– a situation where every step and action seemed to be scrutinized from an observer’s perspective rather than that of a fellow individual.

    In this stifling environment, unable to grow or move forward, overwhelmed by the circumstances around me. I won’t lie; I fell into depression, experiencing the worst nightmare of my life. That’s when I realized I needed to break free.

    It takes a lot of courage to come to terms with the fact that I matter before anyone else, especially considering the responsibility I had in supporting my family with the little resources I had. Nevertheless, I decided to bite the bullet and free myself, albeit with skepticism. The journey out of that situation was challenging, requiring me to shield myself from various obstacles.

    It has taken almost a year for me to recover from the ordeal, and I am still on the path of self-discovery. It has been a recent rollercoaster ride with many demands on my service, thanks to being the eldest child in a middle-class family. Anyway, I am happy, though not entirely satisfied. Wish me luck in achieving a contented life. Peace!

  • Weirdest student in Hindi paper 😀

    For some reason, I had a strong affinity for the Hindi paper, even though I didn’t fully understand the language or know how to speak it. I consistently scored well in Hindi due to my strong writing skills. Reading the text and learning the spellings of the lessons came easily to me. It was somewhat puzzling to me that my classmates struggled with this subject and found it challenging to score well.

    My teachers were amazed by my performance and even encouraged me to learn the meanings of the words. Psst: Interestingly, I still haven’t learned to speak Hindi fluently, but I have a good grasp of the meanings. In fact, I can even teach kindergarten children the meanings of Hindi words! 😂