Three months back I put out an open invitation for anyone who wanted to join me on a hike to Dodeydrak for the Full Moon celebration of Yarney. One lone guy, who was among the 200+ desuups I trained, showed up. Today he works with me part-time, and may fulfill his wish to send his mother on a pilgrimage to Nepal this winter.

In life opportunities come to everyone. Simply, for everyone! It is just that some people procrastinate, some miss them, some just don’t see, some want to be spoon-fed, and some are caught sleeping.

Opportunities also show up at different times, places, forms and shapes. At times they show up as challenges – as a difficulty – as some hard work. The thing is, nothing good in life comes easy, or comes on a silver platter. Yes, there are those who get that, but that is rare, and that is boring too.

At other times, real opportunities are not revealed at once. Like an onion it has many layers. Like a jigsaw puzzle, you see only the pieces at the first glance. It is only when you look back that you see the best of opportunities come from the most insignificant move you made.

Recently, I dragged myself to an academic workshop in Thimphu. It was after a tough week where I had caught a stomach flu too. But I went there and among many brilliant people, I also met a young researcher. This researcher and I got along and a week later he remembered me as a person to meet for a visiting VC of a big foreign university. This VC and I got into some amazing ideas too and laughters. Towards the end of our meeting he made an open job/collaboration offer. I may or may not take it, but the point is, had I felt lazy to go to that workshop in the first place, I would be still on Facebook complaining of lack of opportunities – and corruption and nepotism. 

These days Gelephu Mindfulness City is taking root – both in spirit as well in the structure. It is being given the foundations in every sense. Many still fail to see the huge potential and opportunities unpeeling as the city draws men and machines.

Volunteers works are organised. Our King is even there in person. A tree needs to be removed, a bush needs to be cleared, a snake needs to be relocated, and some areas need to be planted. All these are small steps to a grandeur vision. All these matter. All these are not insignificant. At the very least, one can say, “I moved a boulder” one day in a distant future.

To all those who have shown up and who are there, thank you for your sweats and selfies. I send my gratitude and appreciation. I am even inspired by some of my close friends who wouldn’t even wash the dishes who are there. For those who have not made it, please do so when the next opportunity shows up.

GMC is not just a city. It is a process. A process of reinvention – a message that was explicit in the royal address. GMC is an opportunity to unlearn old habits, and learn new attributes – one attribute being the art of being there – being proactive.

As you develop that proactive attitude, you will realise yourself showing up to every call. Eventually, you will surely be a winner. These are not random quotes from some distant social media influencer, or a billionaire. 

It comes from my own lived experience.

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