Onward and Upward

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let's kick things off with a few questions to ponder:

1. Are you happy today? Are you feeling content and at ease, or is there a sense of restlessness stirring within?

2. Did you do something today that you would be proud to leave behind in this world? 

3. Ever catch yourself stuck in the daily grind, wondering if there's more to life than just the usual routine?

4. Most importantly, are you up for some real talk about making positive changes and squeezing every drop of goodness out of this crazy ride we call life?

If any of these questions struck a chord, buckle up—we're about to embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth together 😊.

Let me introduce myself—a fellow traveler on this rollercoaster of life. On the outside, things might seem pretty peachy - I've always been introverted, soft-spoken, curious, with a high emotional quotient. Good at studies, an Engineer by profession, and have a decent job at a Startup. My family's great, my friends are few but reliable, and my colleagues think I'm dependable. But you know what? Underneath it all, there's this nagging feeling that there's more out there waiting to be explored.

Why I'm being an ass and boasting about my grandeur you say? Well, I asked the same 4 questions to myself and I had 3 "No's" and 1 "Yes".

And if you are wondering what we should all do, then maybe we all are in the right place. 

I have become an avid reader (or at least I'm trying to regain my childhood love of reading 😅) recently.  I have this habit of remembering good quotes from books, videos, or any other form of literature available in today's modern world. I'm reading "Crime and Punishment" by Dostoevsky and there is a small script about a man beating his horse to the point where he dies. This hit me like a ton of bricks. The underlying context here is that the drunk man is trying to overload the horse with passengers and forcing him to move which the horse can't. Do give it a read, I've become an admirer of Dostoevsky since I read The Notes from the Underground. And it might be difficult to start reading him (at least it was for me) but give it some time and it will make you think about the human psyche and how the inner mind operates on a whole different level.

Coming back to the horse story, it made me think what if the horse here is life and the drunk man is me (us)? Would I beat the crap out of life if it doesn't provide me with what I want? Will I ruin it by forcing it to achieve something that is not meant for me? No!

Life is a gift ❤️! And unfortunately, it's a short one. If I'm not happy today, I'll do something meaningful to compensate for it. If today's my last day, I would like to leave the world behind as a better place. I'll realign my priorities to do something tangible and give my best to achieve it. That's where the real magic happens. The answer to the first three questions is fairly straightforward. The 4th question is tricky since its outcome is dependent on the effort being put in. But let's get real for a moment. Making changes isn't always a walk in the park. The dream of starting something of my own has been brewing for ages, fueled by passion and a dash of uncertainty. The corporate world has its perks, but it also comes with its share of cautionary tales—burnout, monotony, you name it. Starting something of my own is a dream of mine that I have been manifesting for a couple of years now. And this belief has been stronger than ever for the past few months since work is not keeping me happy. As a student, I used to hear about how people lose interest in the industry, and that led them to switch jobs. I'm living that! And being a thorough researcher by heart I wouldn't just start something of my own unless I had a backup to pay my bills. But how much should one wait? Humans in general are greedy beings and we don't like change. Seeing people getting laid off from work after giving their soul and sweat to the company was an eye-opener for me. And I don't blame the employers as well, since keeping the business alive is their goal. But, the realization happened when I recognized that this whole work culture is transactional. At least there was some loyalty between the two parties in the past, but in recent times even that has been lost. At a point, I started feeling like a slave to the corporate world and so powerless to do the mundane tasks for someone else. It's a reality that money plays a crucial role in our survival in today's world, serving as the backbone of our livelihood. Striking a balance between our ambitions and well-being can often feel like walking a tightrope, with challenges and uncertainties at every step. However, it's precisely these challenges that make our journey exhilarating and worthwhile. And the most difficult thing to get that balance in life is to start moving in that direction. We procrastinate all the time whether it is to complete important tasks, express gratitude, help others in need, live life, and more. It's time to break free from these patterns and take a leap of faith towards our dreams and aspirations.

Believing in ourselves is the first step. We must trust in our abilities, passions, and instincts. By focusing on our goals and taking decisive action, we can chart a path that aligns with our values and brings fulfillment. It's about making choices that prioritize our well-being while pursuing our ambitions.

Let's embrace the challenges, learn from our experiences, and move forward with confidence. Together, we can navigate the complexities of life, find joy in our pursuits, and create a life that is both meaningful and rewarding 💪

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CRIME AND PUNISHMENT - FYODOR DOSTOEVSKY

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