Today for the first time in three months we headed out of home together, as a family. It has been a Sunday ritual for a year to go for a family walk to one of the beautiful gardens of Delhi. The gardens have opened but our minds are still closed, we are not open to taking the risk of contact for the pleasure of spending time with the trees.
We decided to enjoy the journey instead and drove to our favourite haunt Sanjay Van. Just for the pleasure of the drive. There was no pay off when we reached our destination, we did not get to experience its beauty as we stayed in our car. What we did get to savour was the drive. The journey was the experience. We enjoyed the music. We enjoyed the air conditioning. We enjoyed each other’s company.
The skies had just opened up a few hours before so the world looked like it had been washed clean. Beautiful bougainvillea greeted us at regular intervals. Bursts of yellow laburnum shone through in some places.
Travel is often about getting away from the familiar. Heading to exotic locales in search of adrenaline boosting activities. In this case, our Sunday drive was in search of the familiar. We wanted to get a slice of life, as it used to be. We went in search of the familiar, but found that so much had changed. The road had been dug up in places. There was so much less traffic. We parked in our usual spot and watched as other braver walkers and their dogs got out of their cars and headed into the park.
Cookie our beautiful little adopted doggie kept us entertained with her non-stop squeaks and squeals of delight through the drive. She could not understand why we choose to look longingly at the pathway that led into the inviting greenery of Sanjay Van. How to explain to her that it’s not safe? That the world is still healing.
The good news is Cookie does not complain. She enjoyed the drive. She enjoyed our company. She was joyful for the outing with her hoomans. A lovely reminder that life is a journey and we must enjoy the drive. How many times have I said that to myself. Preached it to whoever was willing to listen. “It is not so much about the destination, life is about the journey. Enjoy it and you will get there in good shape…”
I am reminded of a session I had with my Coach in Goa a few years ago. I had gone for a two day tune-up session, to sort out the thoughts in my head. On day two, after breakfast at the quaint little hotel that was close to her home, I walked across. After I settled into my comfortable cushion, she asked me a simple question. “So Nikhil, how is your day today?” and I replied “Pretty much the same as yesterday, I got up at the same time, had a breakfast of omelette and toast, followed by coffee and then I walked across…”. She said stop, think again, was it the same, was everything just the same? The more we went down that road, the more I learnt that the day was completely different. My toast was a bit burnt on day two. I did not add sugar to my coffee. The sun was hidden by clouds as I walked down that lovely road to her house…
No two days will ever be the same. I need to seek the beauty in every day, not just look at them as 90 days in lockdown, and call out the one that I managed to go for a drive as special. The drive was a great reminder though. A literal reminder to enjoy the journey. Facebook popped up another reminder for me, something I posted in 2012 “Today will be a good day. Coz I’ve decided it will be one”. I have decided to walk down that path again and enjoy every minute of the journey. Anyone care to join me?
The views and opinions published here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher.
A trusted coaching and communications professional, Nikhil Dey is a certified life and leadership coach (International Coach Federation - ICF). Nurturing talent and helping clients achieve their goals is what makes him happy. He loves learning from students of communication, teaching courses and guest lecturing at various educational institutions. When he is not working you will find him on the tennis court or out for long walks with his family and four legged friends.
Previously he has held senior leadership positions at Weber Shandwick and Genesis BCW.
He can be reached on twitter @deydreaming
Be the first to comment on "Enjoy the Journey"