Looking back at 2017

2017 is all but over and it is time to look back at a year which was full of surprises, good and bad.

As far as traveling goes, I couldn’t travel as much as I would have liked. Though a trip to Harsil and Gangotri, Sungri and Daran Pass, Ladakh for the 9th time and the final and the only solo trip of this year, my Wandering to Rampur, Haldwani and Dehradun provided some solace and managed to quench at least a bit of my travel thirst.

Part of it was due to the multiple Asthma Attacks I suffered this year (for the first time in my life). And for someone who hates being confined to home and in particular to his bed, was confined twice this year for a total of 3 months struggling to breathe and even walk without running out of breath inside the home!

Apart from the quarter of the year when I couldn’t really step out of the home, there was plenty of time when I had a hard time walking even a hundred meter without running out of breath.

Only God knows how I managed to fit the trip to Sungri and Daran Pass and Ladakh in between these two major confinements.

But you have to make the best of what is given to you in life while striving for more with an indomitable spirit. And this is what I have always tried to do and will continue doing for the rest of my life.

The fact is, there are restrictions in everyone’s life and responsibilities we have to take care of. There is also pain and misery through which we have to shine and smile. Counting our blessing in the form of family and friends and the opportunity to make things right.

Turbulent times in life come as lessons and this year along with the past few years, have taught me a lot.

Lessons will continue for the lifetime, so will the spirit to do what is right and listen to my heart and follow my passions.

Because irrespective of what happens or does not happen, who comes and goes, this life is mine and it is a passionate one. Passion for the things I love to do and passion for the ones I love.

Everything else is trivial.

In any case, this is the last day of 2017, hope you’re reminiscing like I am, with a light smile on your face, so I will leave you to do that.

I wish you the very best of the coming year and the years that follow. And I hope, you get to turn all your dreams into reality and keep dreaming new ones to keep your life busy and happy.

Happy New Year!