Even Now, We are Free

We are living in strange times. Everyone has said it, and I do not want to dwell on it for too long. I am confident that someday we will once again live without fear of COVID-19. It has had an immense impact on our world, but we are resilient. 

Earlier this summer, I documented my journey to build new habits. I know that people everywhere are encouraging each other to do more and be more during this time. That is all great advice, but I want to acknowledge that this can be a difficult period for many people. It is not instinctual for everyone to try new things in the high-stress environment we are living in.

Last week my university announced that classes are going to be online for the entire semester. Although I was disappointed that I won't be on campus, I understand the decision.

Many people are experiencing horrible news right now. Mine is trivial in comparison, but it reminded me of how much life can throw things at us that we don't expect. It is sometimes cruel, harsh, and unrelenting. Nevertheless, we can prevail. Don't lose hope. Live day-by-day and never give in. 

I finished reading Jim Collins' Great by Choice at one of the lowest points in my life. The final passage shone like a lighthouse through the fog, and seem pertinent for so many people in today's reality.

"We are not imprisoned by our circumstances. We are not imprisoned by the luck we get or the inherent unfairness of life. We are not imprisoned by crushing setbacks, self-inflicted mistakes or our past success. We are not imprisoned by the times in which we live, by the number of hours in a day or even the number of hours we're granted in our very short lives. In the end, we can control only a tiny sliver of what happens to us. But even so, we are free to choose, free to become great by choice."

If you are interested in more Jim Collins, here is my post on his 10 To-dos for Young People.

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