What I learned in the Himalayas

I've heard it said a couple times - "trip of a lifetime".  That's high praise (pun?) for any trip or adventure.  It certainly deserves space amongst the finest few things I've ever done.  It's not that it was so extremely hard or challenging - it was -  but many things are;  it wasn't more scenic than say scuba diving a barrier reef, or more special a location than the Vatican, the Pyramids or a lost city, but the Himalayas and Everest are all of this put together.

Compound this with remote-ness and the knowledge of the need to check in to let loved ones know you're still alive after days of silence.

To go to such a place, you are seeking something - the social media selfie with EBC signs in the background to flaunt to friends at it's shallowest, or clarity around the meaning of life from the cathedrals at the roof of the world and the spiritual people that inhabit the place.  There were varied reasons we all arrived at this doorstep, and all walked away affected in some small or significant way.

Here's what I learned, or perhaps more specifically here's what was reinforced with me through my adventures there.

•  That no matter how steep the hill, or thin the air I can do anything I resolve to do.

•  I am and will be accepted for who I am, regardless of age, abilities and background
•  Mountains remain magical for me personally.  It's where (as the Sherpa and Inca believe, the Gods rest)  They are magnificent, and inspire awe in me.
• That I am truly fortunate, lucky and 'blessed' to experience connectedness when in such places.
• That even the holiest and most pious around us have the capacity to have fun, and experience great joy 
•  I learned that shared accomplishment is much much better that single accomplishment as supporting others offers me a great sense of personal reward.
•  I saw that everyone has demons in varying forms, some baggage that they carry daily,  and if pushed hard enough it will emerge.
• There is a great well of strength of personal grit in many people, and it's usually not obvious or clear even after getting to know someone.
•  It was reinforced to me that wealth, stuff and means have little to no bearing on one's happiness.

 I see that life is (as they say in the region) "Nepali-flat".  It undulates, moves and goes up and down but is generally even, and is punctuated by serious ups and downs that are distinct, temporary and take us way up, or way down.

• I learned to only take what you can manage with you, in essence we need to carry our own loads  - but we do have choices what we take with us.  For me that meant avoiding unneeded extras as they are literally on your back.
• I see that sometimes you need a cane

I walked away knowing I needed to look up frequently, and enjoy the view - what you see may be gone around the next bend.

The last key learning I gathered from this trek was that sometimes you stumble, and that's ok.  Get back up and keep walking.