Hello 2025: A Year of New Beginnings
An entire year has passed, marking the completion of my 34th year on this planet. As I reflect, I realize there are so many things I want to incorporate into my life. At its core, it all boils down to truly living life and being present in the moment.
But how does one achieve that?
The answer, I believe, is different for everyone. Each of us must discover our own unique path—our own formula—tailored to who we are. It’s much like finding your own swimming style in the vast sea; there’s no universal rulebook, no one-size-fits-all approach.
All our lives, we are taught to live by the book. But a book can only take you so far—a place where everyone lives without thinking, without questioning, and without being truly conscious.
From that point onward, your own book begins, its pages still blank and waiting to be filled.
Go ahead and write those pages. Write about how to live your life authentically and how to truly be present in each moment. Make it your own story, one that reflects your unique journey and your way of embracing life.The path you carve for yourself will never be perfect—because there’s no such thing as a perfect path. Perfection isn’t relative, so what could you even compare it to?
It’s just a path—sometimes it turns right, other times left, sometimes it goes uphill, and sometimes it dips down. But none of that matters, as long as it’s the path you’ve chosen and the one you truly want to follow.
Meeting Pia
This morning, I returned from my vacation in Gokarna. A dear friend of mine once told me "Interesting things will happen to me when I stop trying to plan for them to happen". I went to Gokarna with no expectations and no detailed plans. Yet, here I am, back with so many meaningful takeaways.
One thing I’ve realized for sure is that we attract the kind of people we are—or the kind of people we aspire to become. When we meet them, it’s a beautiful exchange. We learn something from them, and in turn, we share something valuable.
Pia was one of those people. Pia Martinus—likely in her late 50s or early 60s (strangely, I never asked her age)—carried with her a wealth of experiences and the courage to unapologetically be herself. She was visiting India for what seemed like the seventh or fourteenth time (I honestly can't recall), this time as a solo traveler. A retired doctor, she appeared remarkably organized on the outside, yet there was a beautiful fluidity about her. She embraced the unpredictability of the journey, not pre-booking her accommodations and allowing herself to explore whatever opportunities the moment might bring.
Pia was an avid swimmer. Every morning, before sunrise, she would dive into the sea for her swim. She helped me overcome my fear of swimming in the ocean. She always emphasized the importance of trusting your body and imagining yourself as a floating balloon, weightless and free. While I was confident in the pool, swimming in the sea is an entirely different experience. The sea has its own set of rules, and I am still uncovering them. To begin with, you need to venture beyond the point where the waves break in order to swim safely. Once you're there, you can mark a reference point to guide your swim, ensuring you stay at a safe distance.
Meeting her and getting to know her was a truly wonderful experience. She inspired me to believe that it’s possible to have it all—to achieve everything you truly desire and to live the kind of life you dream of. She showed me that it’s not impossible, after all.
You can be a high-achieving, work-centric individual and still have a loving life partner and children. You can learn about investments and grow your wealth, contribute to charity, swim in the sea, and return to your own beautiful home after a vacation.
Pia helped me clearly envision the kind of life I want for myself and how to make it a reality. The key lies in valuing time. It’s all about embracing routine and making small, consistent changes in your daily habits. That’s what will lead you there—it’s as simple as that.
If you have many aspirations, the solution is to create a system—a pipeline—that allows you to include all your tasks. And yes, you may feel exhausted from time to time, but taking breaks is essential.
So, as 2025 approaches, let’s start by outlining our daily routines and identifying a few small habitual changes. These steps will set the foundation for achieving the lives we aspire to live.