The Journey Makes The Destination
For a week or so, my mind has been recalling the time I accompanied my mother and her friends to trek in Nepal. I think it’s because something I learnt then has finally begun to become truly relatable to my life.
I saw the trip as an opportunity to not only spend quality time with my mother, but also to try something new to expand my perspective. I also hoped I could healthily gather song material and inspiration post Forgiefan, instead of seeking a new muse to break my heart. Little did I know what was in store for me.
I totally underestimated how hard the Upper Mustang trek would be. Misinformation left me unprepared to take on the mountain range. By the third day out of 10, I had lost the full use of my right leg. It took two jeeps and a horse to get me back to civilisation. As I wasn’t aware of my negative mental habits then, I beat myself up for being so weak. I felt guilty for costing my mother so much when it came to treatment post trip. I was so angry with everything and everyone for a long time.
It’s been several years since that trip. A lot has changed and I think I’ve grown a lot emotionally. One thing I’ve finally understood is that the journey makes the destination.
There are generally two ways to get to a summit to take in the amazing scenery around you. Firstly, you could take a jeep up to the summit. It’s quick and convenient but you won’t appreciate the view as much. Alternatively, you could do it on your own two feet. When you do, you really feel the size and age of the mountain. Reaching the summit this way is also a most exhilarating experience. You swell with pride, knowing that the achievement was hard won and no one can discount it.
The same thing applies to our individual journeys, songwriter or otherwise. Though painful at times, we shouldn’t take the easy way and rush to reach our goals. We need to trust the process. Only then, will we fully appreciate the view as we reach our summit. Even if it doesn’t make sense right away, looking back a few years later hopefully will =)
I got to see the most beautiful natural scenery, unspoilt by man and technology. Shaun had asked me to help him buy a Tibetan singing bowl, so I bought two for myself and incidentally discovered the overtone that would become a big part of the song Overboard and my live performance. I was so pleased that everywhere I’ve performed in Germany, people are so enchanted by its sound!
Most importantly, I got to learn this crucial life lesson, which I hope would serve you well too.
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