If your future self could send you one sentence, what do you hope it would say?
In the following paragraphs, we shall follow a trekker who, in a serene landscape filled with mountains and rivers, hears a voice inviting him to explore his inner self. As the trek progresses, the trekker contemplates life’s journey, reflecting on his past, nature’s beauty, and the significance of being present. The voice represents his inner thoughts, offering guidance and companionship during his trek. Now an older man, he reminisces about his past experiences and the lessons learned, embracing his memories while yearning for the call of nature. Ultimately, he emphasises the importance of the present and the ongoing connection with his inner self, regardless of age or circumstances.
The voice
“I’m eager to welcome you into my realm,” a thunderous voice reverberated, and the ambience around seemed to echo it. He looked around, but couldn’t see anyone. The snow-capped mountains, deep canyons and a roaring river deep down the canyons were in a picture-perfect composition, waiting to be clicked on the sensor of a digital camera. At least he thought so. He scanned the whole area a full circle, but could not find anyone. “It must be an Oracle”, he thought and sat on a white crystalline boulder to gulp the nectar of natural beauty.
Trekking on hills
Who was the person, and why was he eager to welcome the lone trekker in his realm? The question hovered in the trekker’s mind. Looking around and enjoying the serene natural beauty, he was minutely scaling the precipitous gradient of the hilly track. The beaten path was flanked by precipitous mountains flanking on one side and a deep valley on the other side. With a rucksack tied to his back and a sturdy stick in his hand, the trekker was walking slowly, leaning slightly on the stick to keep his centre of gravity in position. The voice had startled him, but now, focusing on his trek, he was walking and thinking simultaneously about the voice, which was deep and sombre but not loud enough which could be perceived by another person.
Enjoying Nature with inner self
There was none. Feeling a bit exhausted, the trekker sat on the boulder and relaxed. Taking out two glucose biscuits from the side pocket of his rucksack, he gnawed them and took a few sips of water from the bottle. He loved to be in the vicinity of Nature and enjoy the natural beauty. The mesmerising wild nature and its careless beauty in the form of scattered wildflowers, scampering beetles, singing falls, flowing river, straight standing conifers and meadows attracted him.
He offloaded the rucksack and lay flat on the rock facing upwards. The cerulean sky was clear. The rock was cold, which gave him relief from the physical fatigue. His mind went again to the voice which was eager to welcome him. While he cogitated, he heard a giggle. The speaker said, “Don’t startle. It’s me, your inner self, talking to you.” After a brief pause, the voice continued, “I’m the one who always keeps an eye on you. You are always under my observation and care, and I suggest the best way to tackle a situation.” The voice stopped.
Inner self and Soliloquy
Assured by the fact that he was soliloquising, he kept silent for a few moments, not wanting to miss any scene of the natural drama and play of light and shade. Taking out his camera, he composed and snapped a few frames of the towering peaks and the serpentine dirt road meandering through the hills. He spent quite some time drinking the salubrious nectar of Nature. Now he felt fresh and rejuvenated. Getting up from the rock, he tied the belts of his rucksack, put on his deep green sunglasses and the cap, and set out for a further journey. He was now not alone. His inner self was accompanying him, conversing and helping in his journey. (Outdoor Action Plan)
Trekking: Valley, flowers and meadow
The path he was treading led him to a meadow full of wild fragrant flowers. The dirt path passed amidst the thick cover of flowering plants. He could feel the touch of leaves, flowers, and acoustic of their Psithurism. They would swing their heads as he passed. It appeared they were gaily welcoming him in the way the voice had told him an hour back. “Yes, indeed!” His inner self said politely. Looking inward and talking to himself is a unique experience, as it clears many things, he thought.
Life journey
As he progressed on his trek, the river accompanied him, sometimes roaring, sometimes with a soft rippling sound. It appeared like a melodious piece of music, supplemented by the intermittent call of small birds. “It is like a journey of life,” he said to himself. The journey that started when one opened one’s eyes for the first time in the world. Since then, it has continued taking him to different places. From hot deserts to humid plains and from cool mountains to pleasant meadows. As he said it, no voice came back in reply. It seemed that the inner self was congruent with what he said. The path widened a bit after some distance. He stopped for a while and took a deep breath to inhale fresh fragrant air and felt ecstatic. The encircling high mountains looked like they were guarding the valley…
Reminiscing
Sitting in the comfortable sofa in his favourite cosy nook, he was reminiscing about his rapturous trek. Now, he is a septuagenarian approaching octogenarian. Even on this day, he doesn’t feel tired. Leading an almost sedentary life, he still wishes to go trekking. His frail spouse doesn’t feel good, and no one else is with them. Yet, he often feels that Nature is calling him. Not only this, he is fond of visiting historical sites and tries to connect with their history. While driving on a highway, he would stop his car at any small, dilapidated edifice, well or pond that looked old. The deserted look of the place and the quiet, still surroundings used to tell their stories.
Maturity
At the mature age he was at, it was time to look back and see how much has he covered journeying. Some may scold him for being overly reflective, but he feels otherwise. Since his start, he has been a mediocre person with a suppressed wish to do something offbeat. He couldn’t do that but led an insignificant life; started a family and raised it. The reflections take him back in time, and like reading a nice book, they tell him his story. They remind him of the flaws of his life. Though of no much use, he still tries to mend for his own satisfaction.
Drawing past
He has time. In his ordinary small home, he spends most of his time cogitating, writing and soliloquising. Unknown about the worthiness of his writing, he regularly pens it down in a manner as if he is trying to draw his past in ink. He gave good three decades (or a little more) to the organisation he served for his livelihood and was paid for the work he did for his employer without expecting much, other than what he received in his pay packet. Like the trek experience, he felt the same feeling all through his active life before superannuation. The abrupt halt of routine initially appeared awkward, but like ripples in a pond, it soon became a new routine.
Lesson learned
The time taught him the importance of present movement and ways to live it to its fullest. During his long journey, he found many things that looked rosy but turned out in ugly end, telling him that everything that glitters is not gold. He never thought in terms of classifying himself under various heads of ageing like Silent Gen, Baby boomers, or Gen X, taking every moment as it came. He often cried sitting alone, became frustrated at his failure and felt indignation at the unpalatable things, but didn’t lose hope. Always kept in mind the famous teaching of the Gita where Lord Krishna says not to expect results. It is the “Karma” that is important. Once again, he heard the same voice with the same impact that someone was waiting to welcome him.
Urge of the inner self
While sitting in a quiet room, under the noisy fan, his mind is roaming far and wide. Once again, the voice he heard years back during a trek echoed in his ears, making him grin. He felt good that even today his inner self is calling from the future with the same vigour and intensity as it had been. Oblivious about his future and disinterested in knowing it either, he still tries to live in present. The past is a means of learning, and the future is yet to come. He considers it the greatest lesson for himself and for those who are in the starting leg of the race.
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Kamal Kishore Srivastava
A retired government officer turned writer and photographer, Kamal Kishore Srivastava is a regular blogger and essayist who explores life’s deeper meanings through immersive reflections on nature, impermanence, and happiness. On his blog Nature’s Narrative, he blends philosophical storytelling with practical insights. Writing 1,200–1,500 words or more regularly, Kamal is committed to refining his craft, expanding his audience, and building a sustainable space where thought and feeling intersect.
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