Soulful Nishi

A Journey of Strength, Karma, and Love was something I wrote when someone approached me for a book they were putting together on caregiving for the elderly. They asked me to share my thoughts—not just as someone who is now a senior myself, but also as a caregiver to my elderly husband. They wanted to understand my perspective, my experience, and the emotional and spiritual path this journey has taken me on. So this piece was written from that space—with honesty, love, and a deep sense of reflection.

*A Journey of Strength, Karma, and Love*

By Nishi Bhatia
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I remember the date vividly—February 26, 2016. My husband, then 75 years old, healthy and fully independent, suffered a devastating accident that nearly claimed his life. I wasn’t home at the time, and he lay helpless on the floor for six agonizing hours, with no one there to help.

His road to recovery took nearly a year. It required the dedicated care of our three children, along with hospital stays, multiple surgeries, intensive rehabilitation, and every form of therapy we could find—modern, natural, and ancient. In time, he was able to stand again. But to this day, a walker remains his constant companion. That part of our life hasn’t changed—and may never.

But I’ve come to believe that life is not defined by what happens to us.
It is defined by how we respond.

It is in our response that we find our strength, build our character, and open the door to inner transformation. 

I believe the cards we are dealt come from karma—both from this life and those before. But how we play those cards is our free will. When we act with awareness and intention, even the toughest karmas can begin to shift—starting with the state of our own mind.

We’ve been married for approximately 40 years, and like any long relationship, we’ve faced all kinds of challenges—emotional, cultural, personal, and practical. I’m a strong, independent woman; he is a strong, traditional Indian man. There were moments when our marriage could have—and by all logic, perhaps should have—fallen apart. But I give more than 1000% credit to my husband for honoring our bond. It was his vision and unwavering commitment during the most crucial times that kept us together.

As for me, I’ve always found joy in helping and supporting—as long as I can create peace and harmony with those around me. That has been my compass, even during the most turbulent times.

To me, life is made up of five essential dimensions: physical, mental, emotional, financial, and spiritual. Of these, I believe physical disability is the least limiting when it comes to living a full and meaningful life. With spiritual depth, mental clarity, emotional resilience, and financial balance, one can lead a life of great purpose—regardless of physical constraints.

I’ve been a passionate traveler for over 25 years.
But after my husband’s accident and recovery, travel took on a new meaning. It became a mission—a declaration that physical limitations would not limit the spirit.

Since January 2017, we’ve traveled together to more than 50 countries, across all 7 continents. 

I have not left his side—not for a single day. For nearly a decade, I’ve been his full-time caregiver. And through it all, we’ve chosen to live fully, gratefully, and fearlessly.

Some say travel is possible only with physical strength and financial means. That may be true to an extent—but it’s not the full picture. Beyond those basics, it takes something more: the courage to step out of your comfort zone, the willingness to face the unknown, and the curiosity to embrace the unfamiliar. It takes resilience to adapt to the unexpected, and openness to connect with people and cultures different from your own—and so much more.

I say this not in theory—but from lived experience.

For the past approximately nine years, ever since my husband’s near-fatal accident, I’ve carried all these qualities with me on every journey. We’ve explored the world together—despite every challenge. And in doing so, we’ve proven that with love, care, courage, and determination, boundaries are nothing more than lines waiting to be crossed.

Today, I am 72 years old. My husband is 85.
We are both senior citizens—and we’re still going strong.

In the end I will say that it is the power of perception that shapes our destiny far more than the external circumstances.

It’s not just about surviving—it’s about choosing to thrive, to live meaningfully, and to create harmony wherever we go.