Mirror, Mirror on the wall......

Thinking while talking is a lost art for people in Alaska. Not the tourists of course, the locals. After talking to people in Alaska I realized that they are there because they want to be in Alaska.

Each one has a story to tell about the dream that they are actually living. For instance take Dale Ebben our tour bus guide in Denali National Park. He fits the song from Juno with different words,"I am a part time software programmer and I am a part time bus driver. I like to hike Denali in summer and be a programmer in winter." Talk to him and it takes less than 30 seconds to realize that he is content with his life. He has reached self actualization stage in his life.

Then there is Chantal who visits Alaska and other nature rich places in the world. She showed me pictures that she took when she was standing 200 feet away from a bear. She brags about the fact that for three weeks she hiked Denali and came across dozens of animals including bears and wolves.

Dale and Chantal are normal people with jobs like I do. What sets them apart is their ability to not only dream but also achieve it. How many of us do that.

Of course most of us are not just as free as Dale or Chantal for a simple reason that we all have spouses, mother, father, sister, or some or the other responsibility. Most of us live all our life for others. Nothing wrong with that but at the end of the day on our death bed how many regrets would we have? Probably countless!

Sometimes I wonder is it worth being selfless or is it alright to sometimes indulge in sinful pleasures that define us, fulfill us.

Chethan and I visited Alaska for a week and we felt ashamed of ourselves because a week's visit cannot do justice to Alaska. Alaska demands respect. It will not stand anyone insulting its ability to mesmerize something as minute as human. Alaska is wild free spirited that gives a lot and seeks nothing. Takes when it wants to and warns if toyed with. People such as Dale and Chantal respect Alaska and themselves. They do not need heaven because for them Alaska and living their dream is heaven.

What sets Alaska apart is the fact that people in Alaska smile at other people. Take time to talk, appreciate nature around them and do not rush. I have heard people say,"Yeah like people in Alaska work?" That statement is not true. Infact I met a few who were just as busy as anyone else on any other part of the world but they make free time to do what they want to do. They chase their dreams no matter what they are tangled with. They are friendly and courteous because they know summer does not last forever.

Is not life the same? Like summer. Too short. Fewer happy times so cherish every minute? We all live life thinking we are invincible. We take pride in putting others down, driving fast, changing lanes without indicator, taking help and not saying thanks, the list is long. Every day we wake up and ask the mirror a question we have always asked and expect to hear the answer we want to hear. Any other answer and we break the mirror.

My trip to Alaska affected me so much that I call it my Bodh Gaya enlightenment, a wake up call.

Now I take time to walk and enjoy nature no matter how busy I am, try and be nice to others, raise my hand if I cut lanes by mistake. I am not perfect nor is everyone else in Alaska. But their way of life is so much more better than ours. Their belief system is not based on my belief system. It is based on harsh realities of life, nature and weather. Nothing is permanent they know that and use every minute to celebrate their lives and others. I know it too but I use it to affect me in a different way.To compete and negatively motivate.

Now whenever depressed I close my eyes and I think about the friendly people of Alaska, the mighty mountains of a heaven called Alaska, the beautiful trails filled with wild flowers and majestic animals like the Caribou.

The sight fills my heart with pleasure and peace. I know I will go back to Alaska again because my affair with the mistress of all lands is not done. I am not done and when I do I will be a new person who will still have the mirror but will use the mirror not to ask questions but only to see my reflection. My inner self, my conscience. Clean and pure as the waters of Alaska.