#23 - Grandad on meticulous planning

Grandad was an avid mountaineer, and he always gave references of mountaineering to me, when it came to learning planning, importance of being alert, and more than anything planning for 10 steps ahead. Preparation has to be always the key. All emphasis was given to proactiveness, and not reactiveness. This approach and mindselt was seen in all his walks of life.

Following in italics was shared by grandad on mountaineering -

Preparing for an expedition involved a good deal of studying about the geography, topography & the history of previous expeditions to the area we were to visit, along with preparing oneself to be able to bear the strain of the trekking etc. Then, menu of each day's breakfast, lunch & dinner had to be firmed up & supplies accordingly were procured in advance. The nutrition aspect had to be kept in mind while planning all this. Sleeping bag, rucksack, Ice-axe, Alpine tents, compass etc & other essentials had to be arranged meticulously. Maps of the area to be visited were acquired from the Survey of India. It took months of preparation to get off to an expedition. I was member of the Mountaineering Club of Allahabad University in 1957 when we visited Pindari Glacier & Secretary of the Club in 1958 when we visited Milam Glacier in the Kumoun Himalayas. - Dada 28 May 2020.

Dada on working hard, and leaving the rest to the higher forces, he always used to tell me this!

Kindly note that surrendering to the Almighty is not a single act once in a lifetime. This is to be done as often as you do a duty with all your attention. You do your best within your capacity every time & surrender to the Almighty for whatever is to follow. You do not brood over what will follow. You need to forget about what will happen to whatever was your best at that moment (unless it is to prevent an error in future). You have to make it a habit - do your best in every situation & surrender to the Almighty for whatever may happen. If you have done your best, you will be fearless regarding the consequences. Only, the best is bound to happen every time. You have to be confident of this outcome as a matter of course.