Finding Myself in Faith

As we roll into Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month here in California, it's like holding up a mirror to my life, showing me just how much my Sikh roots have given me—especially over the past year. I'm 18, and wow, it's been a wild time. Yet, in the middle of the chaos, I found something pretty solid to hold onto: my faith. It's been with me all along, a quiet strength in the background, and now, it's coming into the spotlight.

I never had to go on some epic quest to find where I get my strength from—it's been with me since day one, etched into my family's stories, the tales of perseverance from our Sikh community that's been tilling and toiling in the Central Valley since way back in 1913. That same courage and resilience that steered them are now the forces driving my journey forward.

And Guru Nanak—his words have been like a playlist for my soul. One line that's really on repeat for me is, "He who has no faith in himself can never have faith in God." This whole year, if it's taught me anything, it's the power of believing in myself and the bigger plan that Waheguru has for me. It's been a year of trusting that inner voice, finding peace in it, and discovering how that trust can make the divine feel so much closer.

This life and journey I have been blessed with, it's less about the big flashy moments and more about those quiet times when I'm just with my thoughts, doing a bit of 'simran' (that's our word for meditation) or getting stuck into some 'seva' (selfless service). It's about trying my best to live by the big-deal values like honesty, equality, and justice that Sikhism is all about.

Sikh Appreciation Month for me is super personal. It's about tying back to my roots, getting the full color of the culture I privileged to be born into, and really getting what our traditions and teachings are all about.

As I navigate college life and the adventures it brings, I carry with me the essence of Sikh teachings. The wisdom of our Gurus is not just a guiding light; it's the fuel that fires my ambition and my actions.

So this month, while many celebrate the impact of Sikhs throughout history, I celebrate the impact Sikhism has on one life—mine. And as I continue to learn and grow, I remain grateful for the path Sikhism has paved for me, ensuring that no matter where I go, my faith is my most trusted companion and guide.