Striving towards Excellence

-Karthik Gurumurthy

-Karthik Gurumurthy

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Heard this story from a discourse from H.H.Shri Ravishankar today in Sankara TV.

Once a wise man drew a line on a board and told his student to make the line shorter without touching or erasing it. How would you do it? You have to shorten a line without touching it. The intelligent one (referring to the student) then drew a much longer line underneath that line. So, the line automatically became shorter. The lesson here is that if your difficulties appear to be very big, lift your eyes because you are only focused on yourself. If you lift your eyes up and look at those who are in a worse condition than you, you will suddenly feel that your burden is not as bad as you thought it was. If you think you have some big problem, look at people who have a greater problem. Suddenly, you will get a confidence that my problem is much smaller, and I can manage it.

So, the first point on how to be happy is to see the world where there are greater and bigger problems. Then, your problems will appear smaller. The moment your problems appear smaller, you will get the energy and confidence to deal with it or solve it. In simple words, serve those who are in greater need.

Second, look at your own life. In the past, you had many problems. They have all come and gone. Know that even this will go and you do have the energy and power to overcome it. You will get self-confidence by understanding and looking at your own past.

Third, and most important, do some breathing exercise and relaxation.

Fourth, do you know, in anger we say, ‘I give up’. Without frustration or anger say, ‘I give this problem up, I cannot solve it, let the Divine help me.’ And know that you will always be helped. Have the confidence that you will be helped; a power in the universe is going to help you.

The fifth one – what do you think is the fifth one? I leave it to you. You think about the fifth one. I can go on up to twenty-five or thirty (points), but I would like you to come up with it. We are always looking for solutions from someone. We forget that if we turn our mind inward, we can get some idea, some solution. This is the fifth one. Spontaneity! Be spontaneous. Spontaneity will come when you take a few minutes to go deep within yourself. There is nothing great in smiling when everything is normal, and when everything is going the way you want. But if you awaken the valor inside of you, and say, ‘Come what may, I am going to keep smiling’, you will notice tremendous energy, just rise from within you. And the problem is like nothing; it just comes and disappears.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Ever feel like you're drowning in to-do lists and "yes" commitments? Welcome to the club! But here's a cool concept called Essentialism that basically says, "Do less, but do it better" (or as the Germans put it: "Weniger aber besser").

Here's the deal: Essentialism isn't about getting more stuff done - it's about getting the RIGHT stuff done. Think of it like decluttering your life the way Marie Kondo declutters closets. Instead of trying to squeeze everything in like it's the last day of vacation packing, you're deliberately choosing what really matters.

The funny thing is, success can actually be a trap. Here's how it usually goes:

1. You get really good at something
2. People notice and start coming to you for everything
3. You become the "go-to" person (sounds great, right?)
4. Suddenly you're spread thinner than butter on hot toast
5. The very focus that made you successful? Gone with the wind!

But here's how to break free from this cycle:

First, EXPLORE: Unlike people who say yes to everything without thinking, essentialists are like food critics - they try lots of options but only commit to the absolute best. Ask yourself:

• "What gets me super excited?"
• "What am I actually good at?"
• "What does the world actually need?"

Next, ELIMINATE: This is where it gets tough. You've gotta start saying "no" - even to good opportunities. Think of it like Netflix - just because something's a 4-star show doesn't mean you have time to watch it!

Finally, EXECUTE: Make it super easy to do the important stuff. Instead of forcing yourself to do things, set up systems that make it almost automatic.

The real game-changer? Understanding that you can't have it all. Instead of asking "How can I make everything fit?" (spoiler: you can't), ask "Which problem do I actually want to solve?"

Pro tip: Use the 90% rule. If something isn't at least a 90 out of 100, treat it as a zero. Harsh? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely!

Bottom line: Your life is like a garden - you've got to actively choose what to grow and what to weed out. As Mary Oliver asked, "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" Whatever it is, make sure it's essential!

Remember: You can do anything, but not everything. Choose wisely!

-Karthik Gurumurthy

-Karthik Gurumurthy

The path to self-transformation is often sprinkled with the remnants of our former selves-beliefs, habits and perceptions that once defined us but now act as shackles, preventing us from progressing toward who we wish to become.  Our psychological attachment to our past self is a defense mechanism, providing a sense of identity and continuity. However, this attachment can also be a barrier, a heavy weight that drags behind us, making every step towards change a laborious trek.

Breaking free from the inertia of our past selves requires a conscious effort to acknowlege and confront the comfort we find in familiarity. It involves recognizing that our past achievements, failures, and labels do not define our future failures, failures, and labels do not define our future potential. The process is akin to shedding an old skin, not discarding it out of disdain but out of recognition that it no longer fits.

You can't become who you want to be because you are too attached to who you've been. The moment they decide to cut ties with the outdated self-image, they begin to contribute ideas, take initiative and assert themselves in discussions. Only through this metamorphosis, and reinventing oneself is essential for personal growth and fulfillment. 

-Karthik Gurumurthy

-Karthik Gurumurthy

-Karthik Gurumurthy

-Karthik Gurumurthy

One day out of the year, we have this beautiful opportunity to remind ourselves how blessed we are to have a Mother. We might not thank them enough for all the things they have done for us. She carried us inside of her for nine months.

So, Mom, this one is for you:

Thank You For Your Unconditional Love and Support.

You are my best friend and you always have been. I’ve seen your love million times be it when I was sick in school, be it taking me to IIT coaching classes, be it taking me to undergrad/grad admission counseling.You were always there for me with me. You comforted me at times that life became a little too tough to handle. Not to mention, you have shown me how to love others and how to love them well.

Thank You For Showing Me Grace When I Didn’t Deserve It
Perhaps it is easier for me to take my frustrations out on you than anyone else in this world because you love me limitlessly and unconditionally. There were times when I was a total jerk to you; I was rude, selfish and unkind. Still, you loved me anyway, and for that, I am forever grateful.

Thank You For Giving Me Everything
You never told me no and I appreciate that generosity. I know kids can be expensive and demanding. Working 9-5 for 34 years and still raising wonderful kids...I don't know how you did it..You never skipped a beat. Doing an outstanding job at work as well as taking wonderful care of us...You are the biggest outstanding Go-Giver who have lead by example about how to take care of everyone without grudges, complaining but with a happy heart.

From supporting me emotionally through my awkward beginning high school days, to sacrificing your personal time after your long days at work to talk me through my problems and working extra hard to support us (Aravind and me) financially through college, you and Appa have always been there.

You have sacrificed so much in order to give me a better life than you had when you were a kid.

Thank You For Always Believing In Me
Life has been difficult and there have been times when I’ve felt like giving up, when things were not going my way. Each time, you were there to remind me of my worth as a human being.

You encouraged me to keep reaching for the unreachable and never settle for anything less than I deserved. No matter how crazy my dreams were — you always told me to go after what would make me fulfilled.

Whenever I have any hardships, the only person I can count on who has been there and prayed enough to make the mess to a miracle is because of you Mom.

As I get older, I realize more and more how much you have done for me and continue to do every day.

The greatest gift God has given me is the gift of a wonderful Mother..who has given me the strength, the courage, unconditional love and support through a great example, sacrifice and loads and loads of patience.

This Mother’s Day, thank whomever you call “Mom” for being the best on the planet at her job.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom..

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Thanks to all the teachers who have made this world a better place to live in. My salutation to you all! We cannot thank you enough for what you have done and what you continue to do.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

-Karthik Gurumurthy

-Karthik Gurumurthy