Your Power of Choice

Mrinalini had always been known for her calm and composed nature. People admired her ability to stay poised, even when things around her got difficult. An epitome of peace and resilience, she advocated: ‘Your power of choice is what dictates your fate’. Friends often came to her for advice, marvelling at how nothing seemed to rattle her. But life, as it often does, threw a series of challenges her way, testing her in ways she had never imagined.

It started with her parents falling gravely ill. Her mother needed constant care, while her father’s health deteriorated rapidly. Mrinalini found herself juggling hospital visits, doctor’s appointments, and taking care of their household needs. This alone would have been enough to overwhelm anyone, but life wasn’t done with her. Around the same time, her workload at the office doubled. Her once-supportive boss had retired, and the new one seemed determined to push her beyond her limits. Deadlines loomed large, and the pressure to perform weighed her down.

As if that weren’t enough, her personal relationships started falling apart. Her closest friend distanced herself, citing Mrinalini’s constant busyness as the reason. Mrinalini’s relationship with her fiancé, once a source of joy, had turned sour. Arguments became more frequent, and her partner, feeling neglected, began pulling away. The weight of her failing relationship and the guilt of not being there for her friend gnawed at her.

Every day felt like a battlefield. The emotional and physical exhaustion left Mrinalini with little energy to take care of herself. Her nights became sleepless, filled with worry, and her days felt like a relentless race, with no finish line in sight. Slowly, the calm and poise she was known for became a thing of the past. Her mind, once a sanctuary, now felt like a storm.

One afternoon, when she was on the verge of an emotional breakdown, her friend Neha invited her over for tea. Mrinalini almost declined, but something in Neha’s voice made her go. They sat in Neha’s cozy living room, sipping tea in silence. Sensing Mrinalini’s unease, Neha softly suggested, “Why don’t you try meditating for a few minutes? Just close your eyes and focus on your breathing.”

Sceptical and tired, Mrinalini reluctantly agreed. At first, her mind raced, filled with the same thoughts that had been tormenting her for months. But slowly, something unexpected happened. A wave of calm washed over her. For those few minutes, the storm in her mind seemed to quiet down. She hadn’t felt this stillness in months.

Encouraged, Mrinalini began meditating daily. With each session, she felt more of her old self return. She realized that happiness wasn’t something to be chased outside—it was something she could cultivate within. Her advocacy of ‘Your Power of Choice’ was in action now. The choice to centre herself in calmness, no matter the chaos around her.

Her relationships began to heal, her work felt manageable, and her parents’ health stabilized. The upheavals in her life didn’t vanish overnight, but they no longer controlled her. She had learned that peace wasn’t given by circumstances—it was created by her own decision.

In time, the storms subsided, but even if they hadn’t, she knew she would still be okay. She had embraced the most valuable lesson of all: Your power of choice defines your fate which then defines your happiness. If it depends only on the outside world, you give away your strength. But when you choose peace from within, you hold the key to your freedom.