I took a decision this week to go for a week-long Himalayan trek with India Hikes. I don’t know who I will be trekking with. I only know a good friend who works for the organization, and that I can’t let go of another year without being to the Himalayas. I skimmed through options on the website, chose a suitable trek for me and went ahead with the bookings.
When I shared this with a friend, she questioned me, what gives me the courage to take such bold decisions. I didn’t have an answer. She gave me a thought to ponder upon. The question made me curious to understand my thought process better.
It took me back to my childhood. It took me back to days and sometimes even nights I spent with Grandma. I remember teaching her usage of a remote, usage of washing machine and even a mobile phone. She was one curious soul who would learn everything new that enters the house, be it door latch, tv or even a computer!
The fact that my friend’s question made me curious to find an answer to it dwells in the way Grandma bought me up. I spent the maximum of my growing up days with her. I can definitely say that the curiosity I have in me towards the mountains or anything in general also is something her presence has given me.
When I thought about the bold part of the decision, then I definitely have to say that boldness runs in my veins. My mother has always been the bread bearer in my family. She maintained the balance between work and home perfectly from the times when working women were frowned upon.
I have seen many other women in my family hesitate to take the bold work-home kind of decision even today. It is not easy to do so today, it wasn’t easy back then. But my mom did it and did it well.
As I said boldness runs in the veins, it is also true in my sister’s case. She took a decision to study and settle abroad that created so much chaos. She stood still, focused and achieved what she wished for. Not even once have I seen my mom or my sister not achieve something they have eyed upon.
Being brought up in an environment as such, the decision I took was a normal one for me. However, the friend who questioned my decision has seen and lived in a different world. But, when I think deeper, it isn’t only about the women around me…
Yes, I adapted curiosity from Grandma and courage from mom and sister. But my grandmother grew up with five brothers, each of who strengthened her to become what she did. Similarly, mom grew up with three brothers. And as far as my sister is concerned, she had her better half by her side through the entire moving abroad decision of her life.
As far as I am concerned, I have also had the best set of men till-date who have pushed me to become a better version of me. Be it my cousins, boys I have dated, my college friends or even the people I have trekked and tripped with. In many ways, so many of them gave me the confidence to go ahead with my decision.
Strong men build strong women and vice versa. If we remove the sex from it, the statement still stands true. Strong humans build stronger humans – as simple as that! You are a boy or a girl reading this – make sure you are a human that adds value to the lives that surround you through support, care or whatever positivity you can.
@nisha_navgire on Insta to discuss anything further