Positive thinking: Climb Every Mountain, Search High and Low  

By Rakesh Saksena  

Positive thinking: Climb Every Mountain, Search High and Low  

The inscription on the wall beckoning all visitors at the imposing facade of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling reads thus: "May you climb from Peak to Peak".

The museum within details the valour, grit and determination of all the Everest heroes - those who made it to the Himalayan heights, those who tried and did not, and the hardship associated with climbing the highest peak. The climb from peak to peak is all about the stupendous team effort, attitude, will power, fortitude, discipline, sacrifice and endurance required to put a couple of individuals on the top.

For the achievers, the need to dream beyond what is possible, passion for the job, enthusiasm and sense of purpose are the prime tasks. The mental attitude to set clear goals, patience and perseverance even when the results are not visible, and the ability to take failure in one's stride sets these men and women apart. Positive thinking is critical.

Even with technological innovations, the human spirit still remains the biggest asset, and team work, the best support system. Every member in the team can make a difference - understanding, communication and dialogue are the foundation, and the focus is on humility - the need to "over-perform and under-play".

To be a team player since one never has all the answers is an apt reminder of the superhuman effort of hundreds of team members who make it possible for a select few to scale the heights and attain glory.

Translation of vision into reality entails preparedness which is the sum total of five Ps - passion, purpose, planning, perseverance and pride. Strive for excellence and have a clear vision of the goal ahead. Endurance to conserve energy for the prime task ahead, and not get bogged down by petty issues is the hallmark of the key team members. Bonding and building, creating discipline and preparing for hard work and sacrifice are the traits to be nurtured as much as sincerity and uprightness. Never give up, keep trying, is the dictum.

What drives these achievers to scale unimaginable heights risking physical and mental health and knowing one might not succeed? They learn to keep moving and going, for it takes both rain and sunshine to create a rainbow. The will power and fortitude to prioritise and the sincerity and consistency to move ahead and adapt to change is crucial. The view from the top is one of vastness and total harmony of all elements.

What we take for granted in our daily lives - air, water, forest cover, energy and communication - is to be conserved and preserved to ensure survival and utilisation of all resources for survival.

With such an overview of harmony, we are also able to rise above our mundane reality. The vision to achieve as one moves from one stage of life to the next becomes wiser and richer as one develops a detached perspective. Those without a vision are often short on understanding.

Even the best planned and conceived expedition can fail to reach its goal on account of factors beyond human control. This often calls for change in strategy and mid-course correction for which members have to empower themselves to live in the present, adapting to the changed circumstances.

"May you climb from peak to peak", should be the essence of our daily lives in all its simplicity and sincerity. Simple living and high thinking and the need to always "look up to and not down upon" should be the basis of our desire and effort to reach those heights. We need to dream beyond what is possible, and never ever give up, but keep trying and moving on.

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More from same author see: Rakesh Saksena  

See also: Positive thinking, Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)