This archive report was first published on 1 December 2019.
Breaking Free from the Norm ¶
As I reflect on my life, I've come to realize that I've spent years following the beaten path, trying to fit into the mold of what others expected of me. But it wasn't until I hit rock bottom, making mistake upon mistake, that I began to understand the importance of finding my own answers.
It's a painful and frustrating journey, but one that ultimately leads to liberation. As Buddha once said, 'When the student is ready, the teacher will come.' I was not ready for help, and even if it had come to me, I wouldn't have recognized it for what it was.
It wasn't until I started studying the lives of others, admiring their accomplishments and trying to emulate their ways, that I began to learn from them. But it wasn't until I realized that their answers were based on their own questions about life that I understood the importance of finding my own answers.
It's a selfish desire, but one that is necessary for growth and self-discovery. As I've learned, 'my answers lay within.' It's a simple yet profound realization that has changed my life forever.
Now, I'm not saying it's easy. Breaking free from the norm requires a lot of heavy-lifting, and it's not always comfortable. But it's worth it. As I've learned, being true to oneself is the key to charting a self-centric path, and it's more than worth it.
