More often than not the fire in us dies down. Only the embers can be seen. Our energies are depleted. And we feel unable to carry on. This is just when we need a pick me up. And we have no idea what will pick us up. What will ignite the embers and the flames will again leap and dance full of enthusiasm and joy.
Each one of us has a different way to fire ourselves up and we need to discover what works for us. There is no exact formula, so it will need different things to happen at different moments in our life. We are all creatures of our circumstances. At times we handle all that is going on well and at times we succumb under the pressure and wilt. This is the point if you have help available please take it. For me it can be my friend who can give me just the right Bach remedy or my friend and acupuncturist who can not only needle at the right places but just give me an ear. Listen to me vent out and perhaps just step in with some very good advice.
Life is full of surprises for each one of us. As the old adage says – “Man Proposes, God Disposes”. Leads one to a very pertinent question – Do I believe in God? Do I believe in Destiny? Personally I am big believer of destiny. My wife does not quite agree. We often have this debate. She feels we have the choice and I feel that destiny makes us take the choices we take. No one wins really. As I am unable to alter her view and she has been unable to convince me otherwise.
My perspective can easily lead you to feel that why bother with any action, destiny shall play out as it is meant to. It would kill any signs of fire in my soul. But still I act. I wake up each day, and in cricket parlance, put on my pads and gloves and make my way to the crease, full of energy, to face the challenges of the day. This is where the fire is really needed. Otherwise a couple of hours into the day and the energy begins to fade. And by tea-time I am pretty much ready to call it a day. So keep looking at what excites you and wants you to be fully ready to take the next curve ball that life may throw.
There are so many things we want. They don’t necessarily come our way. But our desire for things material and otherwise keep our fire alive. It gives us the energy to live on and the impetus to move ahead. Over the years I have met many people with burning desires and who have been able to achieve what they wanted from life. So this month we at Team Roadfolk decided to focus on Fire. Not just the physical one that has many benefits and has the immense power to destroy. But the fire that burns in each of our souls. That drives us. That moulds us. Makes us who we are. Who we become.
Fire is much needed in our lives. In its physical form it has many benefits. We need it to cook. And in that sense it is a part of our every-day lives. I have many fond memories of sitting by the fire with family and friends. And of exchanging stories being around a bonfire. Barbecue Sundays.
One of my early memories as a teenager is of visiting a remote village in Maharashtra with a dear friend. We spent the night with the local kids in their village home. After nightfall the entire village congregated in an open area around a fire. We were left to sleep in their home. Suddenly we heard loud drumming and some crazed singing. Slowly, scared to death, we made our way to see what was happening. The scene that unfolded in front of our eyes was spine chilling. It was dark and the locals were dancing around a fire, as if possessed. All we felt was fear in our bones. We ran back to where we were to sleep and somehow slept. Excitedly we told all our friends about it when we got back. But that feeling of fear can still give me the shivers.
Then there is the power of Fire to destroy. Burn down houses and towns and forests. Recently there have been many forest fires that have been destroying large tracts of foliage and the animal world that lives within the foliage. Leaving the earth ravaged. And reducing the precious green cover on our planet.
I would urge each one of you to deal with the physical fire very carefully and on the other hand do everything possible to discover that burning desire in yourselves. That will mean living a fulfilling and happy life. We do hope that the stories we share this month shall rekindle any spent fires for you.
Much love, light and inspiration to all our readers.
Mohit Gupta
6th August 2021
