2022
It was 24th December 2016, on the eve of Christmas, when I received a prompt from Google to join the gang of Local Guides. Out of curiosity, but very mechanically, I went through the process of registration, without knowing how exciting a world I just joined through is going to be. To be frank, the first few days of it, I was driven mostly by the promotional benefits - exclusive access, free drive space, etc.
However, a few days into it I realised that the role of a Local Guide was getting ingrained into my day to day routine. Identifying places that are missing on the Google map and adding those, writing reviews. Though not exclusively, but I took up the mission of including small and medium businesses, entrepreneurs, essential services like hospitals, police stations, schools that are not on the map already. What inspires me is the fact that a better and enriched map will definitely help my fellow people at a time when they are needed the most or even in general.
In this process I found myself looking at my surroundings from different angles and depth - through the lenses of a Local Guide. Rather than passively be there, I am trying to experience the places - identify what is interesting, what makes them different, why they are important.
I would try to capture my perspective about places either through photographs or through reviews! In this process, I realised I am probably becoming more conscious and aware of my surroundings.
The world around now has more details and colour than there used to be. Even more important, in this process, am I becoming more aware about myself, my interests, preferences and longings. This in fact was the real starting point for the Local Guide in me!
What about you? What does it mean to you? Would love to hear your story, your perspectives too.
