Striving towards Excellence

-Karthik Gurumurthy

You know what's wild? I don't think it's an accident when certain people pop into my life. Take my good friend Marishankar- we literally bumped into each other while I was waiting for bus to go to my IIT JEE classes. What are the odds? Something about the vibes that felt good. 

And it's not just the good connections that matter. That manager I had who micromanaged everything? Couldn't stand her at the time, but she actually pushed me to document my work better, which has helped me so much in my current job.

I've started seeing life as this big classroom where everyone's both a student and teacher. Like last weekend, I was stuck behind this super slow walker on a narrow sidewalk and got all irritated. Then I noticed they had a slight limp. Instant perspective check! Made me think about all the invisible struggles people might be dealing with.

When I look back at things that made no sense at the time - like getting irritated by one of the parents who asked million questions- several examples like that - they usually led to something better or taught me something important. The dots connect looking backward.

I find comfort in that. Even when I'm confused or hurting, it's probably just part of the story that will make sense later. Like chapters in a book that only come together when you've read the whole thing.

So now when I meet someone new, or even when someone annoys me, I try to think: "I wonder what lesson we're here to learn from each other?" That rude cashier might be teaching me patience. That overly talkative seatmate on my flight might be reminding me how to really listen.

Everyone we meet is part of the journey, you know? I'm trying not to write anyone off too quickly. You never know who might change your life or teach you exactly what you need to learn right now.