Life Is Like A Jungle

I have many hobbies and interests. Let me share one of them with you.

I love to trek in what you would call a jungle but I call it my paradise.

I fell in love with jungle trekking when my family and I took a holiday trip to stay in a ‘floating bungalow’. This is a boat house at Tasik Kenyir, the largest man-made lake in South-east Asia. It is located at the edge of one of the world’s oldest tropical rainforests.

We had hired a guide to bring us on a short walk but we ended up getting lost in the jungle.

For more than six hours, we trekked with no clue as to how to get out of it.

The sun was setting. We were thirsty and tired. There were no water and food – unless you consider candies as food.

We were definitely not prepared to stay overnight, certainly not with the wild animals. While walking, I could imagine them salivating and smacking their lips, waiting patiently for a good meal – me (I hope they knew I had high cholesterol and it would be bad for them.

All we could do was to motivate ourselves with stories and words of wisdom. Fortunately, I had saturated my life with loads of them.

There was nothing we could do except to press on bravely. Meanwhile, we prayed.

We came to a fork junction and were wondering which path we should take.

My wife sensed that God was directing her to choose a particular track.

If we had taken the other track, we would either have become modern day ‘Tarzan, Jane and the family’ or fresh meat for the jungle party that night.

Miraculously, just before sunset, we managed to bash out of the jungle. I celebrated with grateful joy for the new lease of life.

Looking backing, I can still feel the thrill running down my spine.

I can still recall how scared I was even though I had to put on a brave front. I had to lead my family through the jungle with faith, hope and optimism.

After that setback; instead of being turned off, we went back into the jungle again the next day.

I know the values of fear as a warning signal. However, I need to make fear my servant and not my master.

I had to fight fear with fear. I had to conquer the jungle inside of me with courage and determination.

Since then, we have trekked many jungles, mountains, national parks, and nature reserves. We have stayed in tree houses, tents, rafts, and sleeping bags.

We have crawled through caves that are barely one meter in height to look at bats in their natural habitats. We have climbed mountains adorned with mesmerizing flora and fauna.

We have spent time with the Karen tribe. It is known for their women because they have elongated necks decorated with brass rings. We have swam in cold crystal clear water below an amazing waterfall…

Living in the jungle is a spiritual recluse for me. Let me share with you some lessons the jungle has taught me.

• The jungle is challenging but I need challenges to live. When there are none, I know I am dead.
• If I don’t know where I am going, I will always be in the jungle.
• I see more obstacles when I see less of my objectives.
•  I do not have to follow others and go to where they have gone. I want to go to where I should go and leave a track for others to follow.
• I will not know what I can achieve unless I take the risks of going further into the jungle.
• I do not ask for an easier jungle but for a stronger mind.
• I am not worried of trekking slowly but of standing still. If I don’t try, I will never ever get out of the jungle.
• I am more afraid I have not lived than of being dead in the jungle.
• I cannot get out of the jungle without being bitten by mosquitoes and struggling through difficult tracks and thick vegetation.
• When I feel fear, uncertainties and doubts – that can be the beginning of success.
• I cannot discover a better track unless I leave my comfort zone.
• I learn from the jungle which deals with challenges by renewing itself.
• When I have gone down the wrong track, I must be brave enough to back-track and start again.
• If I cannot go back and start again, I can start from where I am to reach a new destination.
• It is easier to go down the mountain but the view is better from the top and the air fresher too. I can also see my way out of the jungle.
• Every new challenge in the jungle makes me a better person.
• If the animals are too strong for me, I avoid them. If I can’t, I must be prepared to overcome them.
• I can resolve any challenges in the jungle if only I learned how to do it.
• If I overcome the worst that the jungle offers me, I can become the best I can be.
• The jungle may be rough but there are enough flora and fauna to make it exciting and fun.
• Even at nightfall, I can enjoy the wonders of the stars.
• The natives in the jungle do not have what I have but they can be happier than me.
• I persevere through the jungle so that I can see the beautiful waterfall.
• Only when I have bashed through the jungle can I feel the thrill of achievement and the joy of memories.