Striving towards Excellence

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Today I'm reflecting on what freedom truly means - the power to choose my own burdens. I realize we're all haunted by certain fears, and it's only through facing pain that we grow beyond these fears, something I can only fully appreciate looking back.

When I'm in the midst of painful confrontations or overwhelming anxiety, it's hard to feel joy, peace, or security. But I need to remember that no painful burden - whether paralyzing anxiety or a relationship where I feel victimized - has simply "happened" to me without some level of acceptance on my part, however passive.

I have the freedom to reject unhealthy conditions and burdens, though accepting this freedom from pain isn't always easy - it's part of being human.

When I look at my struggles with fresh eyes and take responsibility for them, it doesn't necessarily make them easier, but it does restore my personal power. I'm not powerless or worthless at the mercy of others. In all my relationships, I'm an equal partner with the ability to redefine the terms at any moment.

Today, I am free to be who I want to be, to grow or not, to experience joy or pain - the choice is mine.