What do we seek & learn from expeditions?

Just back from a long strenuous trek and climb of a Himalayan Peak Dzo Jongo at a high altitude of 20, 500 ft (6250M) in a demanding terrain like Ladakh, made me itch to share what we seek to learn from such expeditions? As an explorer, and seeker of good experiences, I (in fact WE as a family) always have an appetite for getting lost in the mountains and being cut off from the world. On holidays, we are looking for experiences to learn and grow. Certainly not for acclaim, glory, or ephemeral record. What we seek is to understand more intimately how complex and delicate our body and mind is, to understand ourselves, strengthen as a family, be aware of weakness, fear, change we want to see, how challenges affect us and how we can conquer the odds together. Life is a team sport, so often our holidays are about finding that unique team spirit and nurturing it along the way. Because the real discovery is not about finding new things but looking deep within to find newness and rekindle that sense of wonder (oh I didn’t know I had that in me) and reinvent ourselves.

Like Ibn Battuta said, “Travelling leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” So, our story of the last few weeks is about broadening perspectives and enriching our souls, through a trekking expedition stretched over 89 kms. In return learning many beautiful lessons of life.

?But before we get to the learnings; I want to tell you about our happiness mantra. Because we are constantly seeking happiness and especially on holidays. For us, happiness is when the head, heart, hand, and feet are in coherence. It's when they speak to each other, and make us experience happiness. So much so that we become capable of spreading it to others. Happiness for us is contagious. It's only when you laugh and cry together as a family, unit, team, or gang that you can be truly happy. Even if you find it within you, double the joy by sharing with others.

?#Lesson no. 1 - Carry your bag light like the Zen state of mind

Since we carry our own bag while trekking, it's important to pack it right and light. Every weight count, even that extra T-shirt! Keep what is most essential, be minimalistic, and yet your backpack should be the right support for your spine. From your sleeping bag to the night torch, be thoughtful of what you need the most. Yes, that rain sack is required too. The thin line between need and want is something we learn.?It’s like when you are walking up to your life goal or dream destination, what is the most important thing you must have with you? Don’t let that extra weight irritate you or slow you down.

It is like our state of mind. If we are positive and energetic, the day can be like a breeze. The phrase ‘don’t worry be happy’ emphasizes the Zen mindset, like being in open meditation, where your skill of being awake is used. Your alertness, openness, agility of mind to bend and listen around are key for reflexes to pay attention to each and every object. It helps you with empathy, compassion, good ear, and eyes. So, choose your state of mind each day in life. Keep it positive, open, and light. Don’t let any negative thoughts come to your mind. Breathe and carry the right weight on your shoulder and mind. So, your state of mind or bag pack can be your tool like a music symphony for mindfulness. Practice it daily. Focus on what is ahead of you with total presence of mind (hear and now), so you hit the ground running the minute you leave home or your camp. One step at a time, one goal at a time. Don’t overthink or stress.

?An anecdotal moment was when one of the fellow trekkers couldn’t carry his heavy bag while ascending on day 3. A friend helped on the way, another one adjusted his bag, one more came to help him repack. As a team we got him through the day and the next day he carried it quite well on his own. The lesson is how many times someone will come to help you, but ultimately you have to carry your own weight, so pack it right, have the right mindset and sail the most difficult journeys with you self-believe and determination. Challenges are a test of your mental and physical endurance. Don’t let anything pull you back.

?#Lesson no. 2 - Pace up and down for & with your team

Life is a team sport, and you won’t get anywhere far alone. Similarly, when hiking, trekking, or climbing you have to learn to maintain a good pace with yourself. Above all you have to learn to pace up and down for & with your team, as everyone has different speeds. Stop on the way, encourage others to come up, pause for taking a breather and at every milestone celebrate that togetherness. There is no fun if you reach the top alone, without others cheering for you. Remember, “you are only as strong as your weakest team member”.?So, make everyone in your team reach the same destination on time, pace up if you are catching them, help those struggling, or simply support those who are getting late. Your failure and victory are team efforts, so experience it with them together.?

Plus, learn to cherish the scenery, your surroundings and soak in that experience. Don’t be in a hurry to reach your stop, instead pause and look around. Let your surroundings enrich, energize, and motivate you.?I get the most amazing clicks when I look back on how far we have come or the trail we are leaving behind.

?My 14-year-old son, always waited for me throughout the hike. He would pace down on purpose, take longer breaks to catch-up with me and talk me out of tiredness through his funny jokes. His tender heart and giving nature are lessons in leadership. Often in life when climbing the ladder of success, we focus on our own speed and become self-centric about our goal. What does it take to help others rise when we climb?

Climbing teaches you to pace up and down and listen to yourself, others, and nature. It is an extraordinary journey that should be sipped thoroughly. Reaching the peak should be the bonus, first enjoy each step and day like a joy treat. It’s like leadership, what counts is not where you have reached, but how many have you got up, who did you help to climb, who did you slow down with or who did you match up with. Think about what incentive structure you can create at work for helping others achieve more. Should you promote coworkers who are solo players or team players? Should managers be people who motivate others to form a team where everyone has a role to play or those who get work done from others? Don’t wrap up your trek or assignment without the sense of community or answer to what pacing up and down means for you in everyday life.?

?#Lesson no. 3 – Feedback, appreciation, and pep talk

Constant encouragement in any form is great, but you realise the real value of it when you are climbing up a difficult terrain. It is like facing an unknown and unimagined challenge in life, all you need is someone to pull you up with her/his kind words. A whisper in ears that you are doing fine, or a jolt that you can push harder and succeed. Keep trying!

Our coach (Mukesh Sir) made us understand and experience it. Every morning and evening he would talk to us in the group, give feedback, appreciate the day's efforts, and share tips for the next day's hike. He taught us that on expeditions, the most important and above many things is helping others, speaking motivating words, appreciating their efforts no matter how small they are, and giving a pat on their back for constantly being on the way. What counts is not how big are your steps on the trail, but how you match each step to keep moving up. Not giving up! Kind words from behind or above may provide us with energy to accomplish our goals. Deep words of encouragement work like an energy bar that can give us the strength that we need to overcome the challenge that lies between us and our goal. (When was the last time you did a self-pep talk or daily huddle with your entire team?). It is a light at the end of a tunnel that gives us hope, knowing that there’s someone who believes that you can make it. (Make your team or someone you value realise you believe in them.)

?It is equally important to learn where to give that extra push to yourself and the team. Of course, in our case it was the summit day. Those hard steps, difficult stretch and crazy ascend to get to the top is only possible, if you motivate each other as a team, fight your demons, eat right for a good start, battle heights, wake up in the middle of night to walk under the stars, running hard or navigating on that wrong turn.

On the eve of the summit (intimated by 14-16 hours of grueling climb and descent ahead of us) my elder son asked me, “Mom how are we going to do it?” I took a deep breath and told him, “It’s a mind game and we know how to play it well. We have trained well, performing great and ready to scale it. Just give your as energy to ascend as much as you save for descent. Balancing is the key. ” Proudly both the boys made it with the group on the top and hosted their school flag. Became youngest climbers too. My ah moment was when I watched them do the summit. An unforgettable memory and joyous time! Reflecting what we learnt and experienced is phenomenal. All the pain was worth this gain!

?This expedition got us closer as a family, taught many valuable lessons and skills, plus the confidence to train hard, stay focused on our goal, and make anything possible by dedication, perseverance, and hard work. With enormous learnings and experiences, we are seeking our next destination and challenge.

What would you plan and seek from your next break?