Striving towards Excellence

-Karthik Gurumurthy

I've come to understand that my reality is shaped by my concepts about reality itself, regardless of whether those concepts are accurate or not.

The way I approach each day will influence what I receive from it. My expectations will manifest in my experience, which means I possess the personal power to direct my thoughts and consequently my actions. It's both empowering and exciting to recognize that I am responsible for my circumstances. I'll either navigate them with ease or encounter difficulties according to my established patterns.

What I perceive in any moment directly reflects my vision of that moment. If I desire more joy, enhanced freedom, or greater achievements, these remain within my reach—they won't escape me unless I allow them to. However, I must first determine my direction and then deliberately guide my steps along that path.

I go where I choose to go. I see what I choose to see. Everything can transform instantly with a shift in my perspective.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

In moments of clarity, my path seems true,
Life's blueprint unfolding as it's meant to do.
Plans neatly arranged like stars in their place,
A comforting map I'm eager to trace.

Then comes the tremor, unfelt until here—
The ground shifts beneath me, vibrations appear.
Like Los Angeles gleaming under golden light,
Masking the fault lines running deep out of sight.

From distance, how perfect the landscape appears,
A postcard of promise that drowns out my fears.
Yet under the surface, tectonic plates slide,
Creating upheavals impossible to hide.

The only true constant: nothing stays still.
Certainty crumbles despite strength of will.
In this understanding a wisdom takes form—
Embrace the unsettled, weather the storm.

For life, in its essence, refuses to settle,
Testing our spirits, proving our mettle.
Perhaps in accepting what cannot be known,
Lies freedom in dancing on ground that has grown

Familiar in shifting, reliable in change,
As fault lines of existence continuously rearrange.

Meaning:

Living in this world, I've come to realize the inherent unpredictability of existence. At times, everything seems to align with my plans and expectations, creating an illusion of control and stability. Then, without warning, unexpected disruptions emerge, shaking the foundations I thought were secure.

My experience reminds me of Los Angeles area—beautiful and appealing from a distance, with its promise of sunshine and opportunity. Yet beneath this attractive surface lies the reality of fault lines and tremors that can activate at any moment. The city's geography serves as a fitting metaphor for life itself.

Through these experiences, I've recognized that uncertainty remains the only true constant. Despite my best efforts to plan and prepare, I must acknowledge that unpredictability is woven into the fabric of existence. This understanding, while sometimes unsettling, also offers a certain freedom—the wisdom to hold my expectations lightly and find resilience in adapting to life's inevitable surprises.