Life has a strange way of teaching us some of its most profound lessons through the most unexpected moments.
I was once in a meeting with one of my closest friends who was spearheading an extremely challenging situation on behalf of several people. The discussions were intense, the stakes were high, and some critical decisions had to be made. We had been at it for several hours, and I was part of a group helping him navigate the situation.
At some point, someone walked in with a plate of samosas. I picked one up and placed it on my plate. Just then, my friend stopped mid-sentence, turned around, and said, “Try the chutney with it.”
I looked at him, almost not believing what he had just said. Here we were, dealing with something so significant, and he was reminding me that the samosa would taste much better with a particular chutney that came from a particular place!
That little moment left me with three important lessons.
First, the ability to be completely present in the moment. Despite everything happening around him, he was aware of what was immediately in front of him. His mind was not so consumed by the larger challenge that he had lost touch with his surroundings.
Second, never allow the enormity of a situation to take away the joy of life’s little pleasures. Life is made up of thousands of small moments. We often become so preoccupied with a major event that we forget to enjoy everything else that continues to happen around us. A samosa, a cup of tea, a conversation or a smile can still bring happiness, even in the middle of our biggest challenges.
Third, and perhaps most importantly, this ability came from an inner strength. He was battling something enormously difficult, yet he had the equanimity to remain calm, composed and engaged with life. His mind was not held hostage by his circumstances.
I realised that the real measure of strength is not just how we handle life’s biggest battles, but whether we can continue to enjoy its smallest pleasures while fighting them.
That day he taught me that perhaps the secret to living a full life is to never let the size of our problems diminish our ability to taste the chutney!
(Pic – Coffee at my favourite cafe in Vancouver)
Very true
Absolutely brilliant way to put it .
Big challenges are not many . Life is made up of multiple small events.
Enjoy those and you get energy to tackle big challenges 😊
In my case I find that I am at times not focused on the challenge, can easily get distracted by insignificant things ( like chutney) and that doesn’t allow me to be optimally looking at the challenge and the ways to overcome
The Samosa Chutney were real life that which happens here and now !
Without intending to minimise in anyway gravity of the issues your friend was dealing with, more as a certain perspective that these could be in the sphere of the future and so in realm of conjecture , which we need to shape , but being in the moment releases its own magic and power perhaps . The future always seems more hopeful after a hot mouthwatering samosa and lip smacking chutney!