Re-Discovering Self-Discovery

Photo credit: Keith Renninson

Re-Discovering Self-Discovery

This is the sixth episode in my series of stories from my book “Tenacity” when I got lost in the Himalayas of Nepal. They were the basis for my TRIP Technique Assessment and Keynote programs. 

One of the things that I noticed while walking through the Himalayas was how my mind kept itself occupied. The smallest things dredged up old memories. I thought I was there to figure out what I wanted to do when I got home and where my life was headed, but I kept looking back at experiences long since gone bye.

It was hard not to focus on failures in work, relationships, and adventures. I had great difficulty journaling about things I wanted to change, improve, and succeed at. Wasn't this was supposed to be an exercise in purpose and imagination?  I felt that I needed to re-imagine my purpose. I tried to visualize a new me, successful in a new path, happy, healthy, with a deep loving relationship.

At first, I thought I was thinking about the past to help reshape the future, then it evolved into a pity party about my failures. I felt that my getting lost was another futile attempt at self-discovery…I couldn’t even plan and execute a trip that would help me layout a game plan for the next few years.

By the time I had met Pasang, the monk, I was in need of his calm demeanor and wisdom. Even the presence of Buddy offered companionship the never-ending unconditional love a dog brings to a relationship.

I was sad leaving Pasang; we had immediate chemistry in philosophy and spirituality that opened the door to great conversation and understanding. We don’t find those kinds of friendships easily in American life. The hustle and bustle of business, family, charity, sports, volunteer work etc., doesn’t leave any time to explore someone new.

It was then after moving on in my quest to find Taplejung that I noticed a calm knowing had returned to my psyche. I started to feel as I did when I started my trek that everything would turn out just fine. Reliving my memories seemed to fade as I began to look to the future with more enthusiasm. My purpose was to lay out a plan that I could implement when I got home, and I found a renewed vigor in that prospect. New ideas started surfacing and I would stop and put them in my journal right away. My meditation/visualization time seemed clearer and more productive as well.

I’m sure I’m like many of you in that I have a tendency to push when I should let my imagination work at its own pace and purpose will follow. Being lost, I was forced to slow down. I couldn’t find my way out quickly, I had to walk up and down ridges on rough, rocky dirt paths. I had to tend to my blisters regularly. I forced myself to stop and take pictures and rest. All of which helped me stay focused in the present and live, just live.

I hope you can find your way little easier by slowing down and being present in your lives. You ultimately will feel happier and more grounded as a result.

Remember to take a TRIP for a lifetime, not a trip of a lifetime.

In the end, it’s just one man’s opinion…mine.

Keith……