Jaspal was a year younger than me, a boy from a middle-class family in Pusp Vihar/Saket, Delhi.
In those days, our only common meeting place was the body temple, local gym in Malviya Nagar.
He later went on to win gold at the 1994 Asian Games as an 18-year-old. Around that time, he had just bought a Maruti Gypsy, and he remained as humble as ever. All his friends would often hang around with him in his Gypsy.
We all moved on and gradually lost touch with him. Later, during the Paris Olympics, I heard people referring to him respectfully as βCoach Sahabβ. But to me, he remained the same humble, simple boy next door.
Om Shanti, mere bhai. β€οΈ
Ignore the noise inside
that keeps repeating
old fears;
it is not your
true voice.
Depression, anxiety, and self-doubt are passing weather,
not your sky.
They arrive uninvited,
but they do not own you.
Smile, even when
the smile feels fragile.
Love yourself the
way dawn loves darkness
without question, without condition.
Low esteem is only
a forgotten memory
of your own light.
Healing does not shout;
it walks beside you quietly.
Keep walking.
Keep breathing.
Keep believing.
One day you will notice
you never broke,
you only became
deeper, softer,
and beautifully unafraid.
Much love always π€
You answer
the @Swiggy or @zomato
delivery boy
at the very first bell,
but let the ones
who love you
wait in silence.
How easily
we serve appetite,
how slowly
the heart.π€
Sending love and healing. π«ΆπΌ
Sometimes just being there is enough.
When anxiety comes, your chest feels tight and heavy. Your breath gets fast. Your thoughts run in circles. You feel unsafe, even when nothing is wrong. It can feel scary and lonely.
But you are not weak. Your body is only trying to protect you. It learned to stay alert. It learned to survive. Thank it softly, then tell it, βI am safe right now.β
Sit down. Breathe slow. Feel your feet on the ground. Let someone stay beside you. No fixing. No advice. Just quiet company and warm presence.
You donβt have to fight alone. You are safe. You are cared for. You will be okay.