Three Ways India Informs Our American Lives

The Power of One

There’s no hoarding in India.

Toilet paper is purchased one roll at a time.  Hot water is scarce, so baths are enjoyed with one bucket of warm water. After your one-bucket bath, you dry off  with one towel–the same towel that you use for your hands and anything else. You sleep with one sheet and one blanket. Safe meals are consumed one at a time. Food and supplies from the market are bought for one day only–as there is often no refrigeration and you must carry home what you purchase.

Time

In smaller cities like Vrindavan, time moves at a steady pace that yields full, meaningful days. More space is alloted for praying, reading, reflecting, critical thinking, and enjoying your loved ones. There are less TVs, cell phones, and internet connections to distract you from these priorities.

Strength

Surviving India revives your personal vigor.  If you travel to India–and manage to stay even just one day–I’m convinced that you can do anything. It brings to heart the fortune cookie wisdom, “What great things could you attempt if you knew you could not fail?”

Application

I’m turning 30 this year and there’s no better time to embrace India’s finest lessons of simplicity, time, and strength. Since returning home, Fred and I have expanded our commitment to minimalism. We’ve also established a new routine of going to bed early and rising at 5:00 a.m. to pray, study Scripture, reflect, and write.  Since prevailing India, I have a renewed strength for actualizing my publishing dreams instead of watching the years of wishful thinking wisp by.