ripple

A magical thing happened one week recently, that has set off a positive ripple effect so I wanted to share on here.

I offered to volunteer for a festival coming up in the local town centre, though a non Sikhi one called Rathayatra, I knew one of the Hari Krishna’s and at first offered my free Friday evening though at last minute switched it to the Thursday instead.

On the Thursday I was threading flower garlands, for the first time, a track was playing very faintly that although it couldn’t have been as this was a Hindu event, sounded like Wah Hay Gur Roo being played. So I threaded and listened along as if it was those words because honestly it may as well had been. I was later told how quick and effective I was, it was all down to those sounds.

As I sat threading, a woman walked in and spotted I was wearing a Kara and showed me hers too and we greeted each other (excitedly as this kind of thing never happens usually outside a Gurdwara setting) then were promptly told not to do that or as talking about things that are not Krishna conscious would effect the flowers….I forgot, some faiths have superstitions! So we respected their rules, best we could and chatted.

We both left early at same time to hang out away from the Hari Krishna’s, much to the dismay of the organiser. I had been threading for 5 hours without realising and wondering why I was getting a bit tired!

My new friend and I chatted about our lives, spiritual journeys and talked of shopping trips. We would see each other again that Saturday for the festival. I ran for the bus to the area where the Gurdwara was, I don’t usually go on Thursdays but I checked that it was open and there was also Kirtan being played too.

I got to the Gurdwara and no Kirtan could be heard, I went to the top room and sat and listened to the CD playing a Shabad and a lady in front of me sweetly reciting something out loud. There was no one serving prashad and I was wondering why I was there instead of being in the sunshine or at home. Anyway I sat still and waited for nothing in particular.

I left the room and went over to the notice board, I don’t usually though this day I felt to. On the board was one last flyer for Khalsa Camp, discover the spirit within, the days were the end of August and at first I thought I had missed it and would save till next year. Going over the dates again I realised it hadn’t come yet, it was only the end of July.

There was still a chance.

I put my shoes on at 7pm and sat as the Kirtan musicians started playing and could be heard throughout the whole building.

I felt encouraged and inspired by conversations with my new friend, I checked my calendar to see that I already had two days off and I just needed to add another few, I did that easily, paid and it was done. I am going to Khalsa Camp.

It wasn’t till much later after booking that I was told about another Sikhi adult camp called BOSS Camp, also in Wales around the same time, something I perhaps should have looked into but it didn’t come up on my searches or radar at all and didn’t fit in with holiday dates.

The closer it’s getting I’m feeling nervous, was this this wrong camp to go on? I guess I just need to trust.

Trust it’s meant to be, Khalsa Camp 2017.