Panacea is simple and hard.

The solution to a lot of world’s and your problems is likely going to be -

“Slow down” “Think” “Act kindly, to yourself and others.” “Focus on the action, not on the outcome.” “Learn to appreciate the beauty in everything. Amor Fati.”

People suggest that panacea doesn’t exist. The truth is that panacea exists, the actions to achieve it are simple and hard.

One of the most quoted parts of the Gita:

कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन। मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥

Transliterated to English

Karmanye vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana, Ma Karmaphalaheturbhurma Te Sangostvakarmani

The crux in English suggests that one can only focus on one’s actions and is not entitled to the outcome of those actions. So, an outcome should never be the motive behind the actions. At the same time, don’t this shouldn’t cause inaction either.

To me, accepting and realizing and practicing this mindfully is the single most adult thing I’ve ever done in my life. It took me all of 41 years (today) to realize this, to accept this, to practice this and to become a believer.

It’s been my solution to:

• working out
• achieving a healthy separation from my work identity
• roll with life’s roller coaster
• become a better parent
• become a better person
• become a better colleague and product manager

I hope you too can realize this simple, but hard someday. And sooner than I did.