Celebrated the new year in this beautiful island of Swaraj Dweep (previously called Havelock) in South Andaman.
As I look back on the year gone by, I can’t be thankful enough for 2018. Professionally and personally, it’s the best year I’ve had. In Dec 2017, if I were given a chance to script my 2018, I don’t think I’d have had it any better.
What did you learn in 2018? Can you describe it in one word? For me it’s ‘gratitude’.
I discovered that having a deep sense of gratitude for all that you have in life is a source of profound happiness.
In 2018, I had a serious knee injury: An MRI scan showed that I tore my anterior cruciate ligament in the right knee, to the extent that it might have needed a surgery.
But the doctor advised me a non-surgical treatment to see if it works. I had to wear knee braces for a month, doing physiotherapy as my daily routine to gain strength and stability in the knee joint.
The recovery has been gradual but unbearably frustrating at times. Everyday to walk uphill in LBSNAA was a challenge and to navigate the Himalayan Trek was especially difficult, as I had to take each step with care and precision, lest I worsen the injury. During this period, I couldn’t help but think of the time I was healthy enough to run and play football.
I’ve had a re-scan of my knee joint recently, and the MRI showed near complete recovery of the ligament. Now I’m back running after six months.
Celebrated the new year in this beautiful island of Swaraj Dweep (previously called Havelock) in South Andaman.
If the injury had happened a couple of years ago, I’d have been a bitter person, cursing my luck that, of all people, it had to happen to me. But now I realize that shit happens. One fine day you just wake up to the fact that you have a terrible injury and you simply have to deal with it.
What really helped me cope up with the injury was the realization that it could have been far worse.
Imagine being afflicted with a terminal disease tomorrow. What would you not give to get to where you are now? Or say you lose your loved one in an accident. Many of us cannot even bear the pain of imagining it. Doesn’t life feel precious, just the way it is?
I’m not saying we must be merely complacent or simply resign to our fate. We must certainly be ambitious, always striving to do better. But my point is: while we are working toward our goals, we need not be miserable.
Most of our unhappiness is self-inflicted and needless, as we lose our minds over petty things. It helps to take a moment to pause and be thankful for your health, your relationships and all the people in your lives who make your existence meaningful.
Remember that before we came into being, there were revolutions, world wars, the rise and fall of mighty civilisations, and the birth and death of millions like us. The world went on as if we didn’t matter. In the future too, the world will go on as if we never existed. We are merely transient, our self-imposed importance ephemeral.
All we have is this one life, and it’s ending one year at a time. No matter the uncertainty or adversity, once we realise the fragility and preciousness of our lives, we don’t worry over stupid things.
Life is too fleeting to stay miserable. It taught me to take each moment as it comes, count my blessings and be grateful for it.
On that note, I wish you a happy new year. May you find joy in everything that you do.
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Hope is the one word that can describe everything that I learnt in 2018 sir.
As Andy says in Shawshank Redemption, hope is indeed the best of things.
Wish you an even better 2019.
Two things attracted my attention to a great deal....! One is, feeling miserable while working towards our goals...yes., we do feel so..like being trapped in an impasse while all others r busy finding their temporary destinations of happiness. That despondency flows perennially at the back of our mind as long as v r working for a specific target. N now.., i feel happy to discover that this feeling is not unique to me..!
And...,the second thing is, the philosophy of existence in the line..''the world will go on as v never existed" How different our world would be if everyone recognises this bare truth?! May b not the happiest place but would surely have been a safe place to live in...devoid of avarism, greed, materialism n deception.
And...finally thank you for writing not just like an ias officer but also as a common man who faced all kinds of odds n struggles ;understood each n every critical situation in its whole length n breadth and experienced enough to extract inspiring lessons that guide the generation.
Thank you, Asha. Much appreciated.
Thnx for your article sir... eagerly waiting for the next....
Wishing you a very happy new year...
I have read your blog today, who made me full of positivity.
It is true many people in the world are frustrated with small things and forget their goals. Instead of being disappointed in life, we should learn and move on.
Your post is the source of inspiration for many people. You keep writing like this, my good wishes will always be with you.
#gratitude
Good lord!
I tore my left knee ACL 2 weeks ago and am in the exact same situation as you described. Thanks a lot for the write-up, I needed this! :)
This article was truly worth the wait. Your writings reflect a sense of acceptance and gratitude towards life.
Wish you a very Happy New Year 2019, Sir !
Happy New year sir!!
Get well soon ..
U r such a great inspiration for all UPSC aspirants n for others also..
N I really like your positive approach towards life.
I think this is the reason for Ur success n good health!! TC n all d best for near future☺️
"Imagine being afflicted with a terminal disease tomorrow. What would you not give to get to where you are now" - Beautifully written words!
Hi Anudeep sir, Thanks for giving us such a positive article. Most of us spend so much time in counting others fortunes that we forget to understand how much blessed we are. Everyday, I see people complaining about lot of things, corruption, crime, poverty, failure of governance, capitalism etc. Yes, we do have lot of issues pertaining and we all have to contribute in solving but in spite of those problems, we are able to sleep peacefully. Isn't this enough to prove that we are lucky? There are parts of world people are struggling for basic human rights. We are lucky to be not a part of them. Sir, your article reach maximum number of people. This is really motivating. Once again, Thanks for writing this.
Amazing read. Always looking forward to your posts sir. :)
Although I'm quite late here, "Learning" described 2018 for me. It was a tough year being in my final year of M.Tech. and self-prep for Civils. I have taken a gap year this year and can define 10/12th of 2019 as "Hopeful" as of today. Thank you for sharing your wonderful thoughts, Sir.