Finding Strength In Adversity Is One Of Life’s Best Lessons
Recently, I found myself renewing a pledge that I had made to myself in 2013; which was to travel and see more of the world around me. I had achieved most of that quite successfully, taking myself to places near and far. Growing up meant that I had more control over my life, understanding that there was definitely more to find, see and experience. And, actually understand what inspired and help build my resilience.
From time to time, I tend to flick through my worn passport as if it was a mail order catalogue. Where have I been lately? Chile.. Brazil.. oh there’s Australia. Travelling in the European Union meant that EU citizens do not get their passport stamped, however after a small change called Brexit that might all change. My personal catalogue was rich with ink from all over the globe — from Morocco to Singapore, down to my native Mauritius where I had made a visit that preceded my inner darkness.
In my quest to conquer the map that I framed and stuck on my wall, I had started to look at one part of the world that constantly fascinated me. As a person that knew sunshine mostly, (my passport will tell you that too) the allure of Scandinavia and the Nordic countries greatly appealed to me. (Yes, there is a difference between Scandinavia and the Nordics). And, what I learnt on this cultural journey would end up changing my life forever.
My first ever memory of this was visiting all the Scandinavian and Nordic Christmas markets held in London. That was the closest I could get to glogg, gingerbread biscuits and something else. I could not put my finger in as I lingered in between rooms full of flags, smiling faces and genuine warmness.
There were the Danes, the Swedes, the Finns and the Norwegians. Each of them were very proud as individual nations but also with much in common between them. They all share a few things in common — coffee, baked goods, bad weather. I guess the first two would make most of us content, but how could you really be happy in miserable weather? Londoners, take note. But the people living up there are truly unique in many envious ways that I have taken as my own. Mentally, I have adopted such ways to help me deal with life and all of what it entails.
I walk. For those that truly know me I am a two-feet person rather than a two-wheel person. With more than a million steps to my name in 30 days (see previous article) I truly savour enjoy the endeavour of discovering a city on foot. This really helps settle my mind but also imbibes in me a sense of deep of gratitude.
We are all in seek of this thing called happiness, but it is already there.
I have always had to live with a can-do attitude. There has never been an option B, up until now where I have understood that there are other ways to think and feel. It’s all a choice in the end, no matter what you face or are presented with.
Being much more aware after coming out of mental hibernation earlier this year I paid more attention to the memories that keep flashing up on my phone from time to time, reminding me of where I was and what I was doing. I looked at each one and I replayed the entire trip back in my mind.
The first couple of trips were to places warm and near, but then the appeal of cheaper prices to places further north appealed. A new place, a good price so why not? But, it’s cold and miserable. As a Londoner I should be used to that but I am reassured from various sources that there are wetter places out there in the world.
Without any real preparation flights were booked, transport options were researched and off I went. Into the unknown, which has been a resounding element in my life. In the space of a year, I had trekked to Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, Helsinki and Reykjavik. So, tick those boxes. I had done them all, spent far more than I ever imagined hotels and food would ever cost south of Copenhagen.
The most extraordinary things I found were that these people had to carry on living no matter what nature threw at them. I love how they embrace all things that would certainly throw accustomed city-dwellers into meltdown. What truly does not kill you does make you stronger. A few things things came to mind with that thought:
What if I did not eat every few hours?
What if I chose to work a few more miles each day?
What if I chose to sacrifice a little comfort and wake up each day earlier?
And suddenly, a few choice words appeared within me, that captured the mood:
I have been trying to find myself
And I did.
In nature.
Nature cannot judge you
Nature can’t tell you what to do
Nature is what it is. Natural.
As things are meant to be.
Humans on the other hand
Are judgemental
Are inward-looking
Make others feel interior
Make others feel unwanted
I can’t look most people in the eyes
But I can relax my mind and soul
Looking at beautiful landscapes
Quiet parks
Places where people haven’t ventured yet
So when I want to feel love
When I want to feel a connection
When I want to feel one with myself again
I just open the door
I leave the desk
I book a trip
And I go
I go outside
I go far and near
And I breathe
And I listen to silence
And I look with open eyes
I feel connected to what was always there
And might be one of the most constant things in our lives
The sun
The trees
The birds
The light
The sky
The water
The rain
The wind
The snow
Why would we want to destroy or harm these things
That can bring us the harmony
That humans lack between themselves
Those experiences
In those cities and places
Connect me to myself
Far more than with any other person
In the world
I am at one with nature
And more connected to myself
And it gives me that security and safety
That anyone is yet to bring.
Wherever I go
I seem to fit in
People try and address me
In their local language
Yet, I have nowhere to call home
Apart from everywhere I have been.