Have we forgotten the meaning of freedom?
Or are we lying to ourselves...
Raw and Real Conversation
Hey Friends,
Many years ago, I was frustrated with my job.
When I reached out to my manager stating the frustration, in his usual understanding manner, he asked me a question:
“Imagine your best life a year from now. What would you be doing in that best life? How would you be living your days? What would make you feel fulfilled?”
To be honest, I had no answer.
I was so caught up in the frustrations and perils of the world that I had no idea that the only person that could define my life was me.
Worse yet, I gave him a fictitious answer that would make him happy instead of truly reflecting upon the question.
Over time, life happened. Time moved. Things changed.
So did I.
If you were to ask me today, I have a clear answer to the same question my boss asked me that day.
The answer doesn’t matter. What matters is that each one of us has that answer.
Because if we don’t have, we are fitting into someone else’s life.
Without even being aware of it!
Pause for a moment, and look at anyone who isn’t happy. They have all the reasons why they are unhappy because of:
Modi ji did not make good roads!
Team India lost the World Cup in 2023!!
What their school teacher once said to them in a snap
Their childhood traumas which they choose to never heal
How the weather and too much work load makes it impossible for them to change their lives!!!
The list is literally endless.
Here is the truth, my friend:
These excuses aren’t just excuses. They are your prison.
Who does not have things going on with them? Who is not facing challenges? Tell me one person who is successful without withering storms?
The difference between people who live their best life and ones who do not is just one:
They know that they are responsible for their own life. No one else.
Not their boss. Not their mother in law. Not their kid. Not the neighbour. Not a random dude on the internet.
They themselves.
Yes, you might be struggling in your life, but you realise you have the power to change things. No one else.
That my friend, is true freedom.
Freedom doesn’t just involve taking your laptop and backpacking across the globe, while blaming the entire world for your problems.
Freedom simply means taking charge of everything you do, and knowing you choose the life that you do. Even if you are living in a 120 sqft apartment.
I hope you get on the journey of yours :)
It’s a lifelong journey, however, far better than living someone else’s life…
Raw One-Liners
Try to stay quiet today, just for 30 minutes, without your phone.
Social media cannot make you think deep. Fall in love with books.
(For) real quotes you cannot miss out on:
“But there’s something distinctive that happens when givers succeed: it spreads and cascades.” —Adam Grant, Give and Take
“I have, let’s say, sixty years to live. Most of that time will be spent working. I’ve chosen the work I want to do. If I find no joy in it, then I’m only condemning myself to sixty years of torture. And I can find the joy only if I do my work in the best way possible to me.”—Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead
“When someone says “I’m sorry” to you, it doesn’t matter that other people have said sorry in the past…If someone is being sincere, their apology is valuable and meaningful, even though apologies have previously been uttered.”—Ted Chiang, Why AI isn’t going to make art
That is it, friends.
I enjoyed writing today’s edition more than usual. I hope you did, too :)
Stay raw, stay real, and never stop reading :)
Nishtha Gehija
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