The struggles I faced were often those projected onto me by others. We're taught that life is a struggle, but what if we never needed to accept this narrative?

"Who are you liberating yourself from?" This question isn't just a query; it's an invitation to embark on the most significant journey you'll ever undertake – the journey within.

We grow up in a world that's full of invisible traps. These traps, often cloaked in good intentions, convince us to act against our best interests. But have you ever paused to consider who sets these traps? Is our suffering the result of others' actions, or is it born from our perceptions of these actions?

Let me share a personal reflection. As a young boy, I was taught how to perceive people's actions – what was respectful, what was considered loving, and what was narcissistic. But how often do we conclude someone's intentions not based on what they actually say, but on what we think they mean? How can we ever truly know if someone loves us, or if they are genuinely our best friend? What do these labels even mean? What I failed to understand initially was that my perception of their actions actually mirrored how I saw and accepted myself. The tension I experienced in our interactions was frequently a manifestation of the internal conflicts I was grappling with.

Throughout my life, I've faced numerous struggles. In those moments, it felt as if life was unraveling. Yet, looking back, I see a different picture. I see life stitching itself together, creating a tapestry that was meant just for me. Were my frustrations born from unmet expectations, or were they a natural reaction to the challenges of the moment?

In our quest for personal development, we're often led to believe that we need 'fixing.' That if we just follow the right process, we can morph into our ideal selves. I, too, believed this. But then I asked myself, "Who am I really changing?" If I am trying to fix myself, who is the 'I' doing the fixing? It's like peeling an onion – layer by layer, until nothing is left. Were those layers ever really separate from the core?

This brings us to the eternal battle of good versus evil within us. We fracture our identity, believing that one part of us must be defeated for another to thrive. But what if all these parts are inherently us? What if this fragmentation is a result of the narratives we've been fed, rather than our true nature?

I recall the internal battles I faced just to get out of bed and go to the gym. Part of me yearned for self-improvement, while another part just wanted to rest and savor the moment. Who was the real 'me' in this scenario? There was a part of me that regretted past choices, another that accepted life's outcomes, a side that was anxious and stressed, and yet another that found joy in simple pleasures.

This journey led me to a powerful realization about self-fulfilling prophecies. The struggles I faced were often those projected onto me by others. We're taught that life is a struggle, but what if we never needed to accept this narrative? What if the friction we feel with reality is simply a clash between our beliefs and our experiences?

Right now, as you read these words, consider this moment. Yes, there might be problems ahead, and yes, there may have been mistakes in the past. But what if, just for now, this moment is perfect as it is?

In essence, the path to self-liberation is not about escaping from something or someone. It's about rediscovering and embracing every part of ourselves – understanding that each emotion, each thought, and each experience is a vital piece of the puzzle that makes us who we are. It's about learning to view our journey through a lens of compassion and mindfulness, recognizing that every step, whether it feels like a stumble or a stride, is a part of our unique, beautiful dance of life.

So, I invite you to ask yourself again: "Who are you liberating yourself from?" Maybe, just maybe, the person you're liberating is closer than you think. Could it be you? Waiting to be understood, accepted, and loved for all that you are.