The Path to Becoming the Person You’re Meant to Be

Author

Srikar Karra
October 26, 2024

Welcome to the Letters of Wonder, where I explore insights on wealth, fulfillment, growth, and mastery—sharing lessons and reflections to help you live a life filled with purpose.

A Quote I Love:

“What you seek is seeking you.”

Rumi

When we work on our inner world, our outer world starts to reflect that. Or in other words, the life you are living on the outside is in direct correlation with the life you are living on the inside.

Sometimes you may feel that the things you seek are impossible to get. But the truth is, you just may not fully be aligned with them yet. When you begin doing the inner work required, all the things that were meant for you will align.

Rumi’s quote tells us that when we become what we seek, we naturally draw those things toward us.

So instead of looking outward, we start by looking inward and the universe aligns to reflect that.

Moral Story:

The Story of Kaito and the Village of Reflections

Once in a quiet village by the mountains, there lived a young boy named Kaito. Kaito often felt alone, watching as other children laughed and shared stories, while he sat by himself, longing for true friendship. He tried everything—being funny, acting tough, even pretending not to care—but no matter what he did, he felt unseen, like an outsider looking in.

One evening, as he wandered along the river’s edge, he met an old woman sitting calmly by the water, her gaze soft and wise.

She looked at him and asked, “Why do you look so sad, child?”

Kaito sighed, his heart heavy. “No matter what I do, I can’t seem to find real friends. It’s as if people don’t see me. Maybe I’m just… invisible.”

The old woman gave him a gentle smile. “Come with me. I know a place that might help you understand.”

Curious and with nowhere else to turn, Kaito followed her through the forest, until they arrived at a hidden village. It was the strangest place he had ever seen. Every tree, every stone, and every house was covered in glass, reflecting everything around it. When he stepped forward, the entire village seemed to mirror his every move.

As they entered, Kaito noticed the villagers around him behaved in the same strange way. When he frowned, they frowned back. When he forced a smile, they returned the same tight, uneasy grin. He grew frustrated, and the villagers’ faces seemed to echo his irritation, scowling and looking restless.

Confused, Kaito turned to the old woman. “Why are they copying me? It’s… unsettling.”

She looked at him kindly. “This is the Village of Reflections. Here, everything you feel, every emotion you carry, is reflected back to you.”

Kaito stared, stunned. “So… they’re not really angry or sad?”

She shook her head. “No, child. They are simply mirroring the energy you bring with you.”

Kaito thought about this and felt a sudden ache in his chest. For so long, he had felt invisible, longing for love, friendship, and connection. But now he realized—maybe he hadn’t been open to giving that love first.

With a deep breath, he closed his eyes and began to think of the things that made his heart feel warm: the kindness of strangers, the beauty of a sunrise, the quiet peace of the river’s flow. Slowly, he felt himself soften, letting go of the worry and sadness he had been carrying.

When he opened his eyes, he saw something beautiful. The villagers around him were smiling—soft, genuine smiles that reached their eyes. They seemed kinder, gentler, as if warmed by the same peace he was now feeling.

As he looked around, he noticed one young girl in particular who stood close by, watching him with a gentle curiosity. She didn’t say a word, but her eyes held warmth and understanding, like she had been waiting for someone like him to arrive.

The old woman spoke softly beside him, “Do you see, Kaito? The love and calmness you bring to yourself is what you bring into the world. When you are open to love, love finds you. When you are at peace, peace surrounds you.”

Kaito’s eyes filled with tears. He understood now—he had been searching outside himself for the connection he hadn’t yet found within. And in that moment, he felt truly seen, not just by the girl or the villagers, but by himself.

From that day on, Kaito returned to his own village, carrying with him the lessons from the Village of Reflections. He no longer sought validation or forced connections. Instead, he focused on nurturing love, kindness, and calmness in his own heart. And slowly, almost like magic, he began to attract friends who shared that same gentle warmth, people who loved him just as he was.

A Question to Ask Yourself: Am I becoming the kind of person I want to attract?

Recently, I found myself picturing my future life partner. I imagined her as driven, confident, kind, and fully at ease in who she is. But then I stopped and asked myself, “Am I showing up with these same qualities?”

That’s when it hit me: how could I expect to attract someone with a 10/10 character if I’m still a 5/10 in some areas?

Here’s a quick exercise:

Take a look at the five people (outside your family) that you spend the most time with.

Take some time to write down your thoughts about each person and the qualities they bring out in you.

As you reflect, remember this: in most cases the people you are around often mirror the qualities that you yourself are embodying.

Once you’ve reflected, take a moment to imagine your dream life. Picture it in detail: What would you be doing? Who would you spend your time with? What kind of people would surround you?

Write this vision down, and then ask yourself: What qualities would I need to embody to attract these people and experiences into my life? Think about how you can start building those qualities right now within yourself.

When you align deeply with the values and energy you truly admire, the right people, opportunities, and experiences will naturally begin to flow into your life.

Remember the story of Kaito. If you want to attract something or someone in your life, then you must start by embodying that energy.

Something I’ve Been Reflecting On:

The life you are currently living is the result of actions you took months or even years ago.

And the life you will be living is shaped by the actions you’re taking today.

If you truly want to change your life, think about what you need to start doing now.

It’s easy to push things off, to think you’ll start tomorrow. But remember, it never gets easier.

It’s hard to workout and eat right, but it’s also hard to have health issues.

It’s hard to build a business, but it’s also hard to work a job that sucks your soul.

It’s hard to pursue a goal, but it’s also hard to live with regret for never trying.

Like many others have said before me, you get to pick your hard.

Here’s a backwards way of looking at it: “What you don’t do determines what you can do.” – Tim Ferriss

Every single thing you are doing now is affecting your ability to do something else. Everything is a trade-off.

A simple thought exercise: What am I spending my time on that I wouldn’t be if I had only a few months left to live?

Take some answers with a grain of salt. Some things, like chores or work you don’t love (but you need to make ends meet), are just part of life—unless you’re planning to be a nomad. And it’s also okay to enjoy “unproductive” things if they really light you up.

But ask yourself: What am I doing that I know I could replace with something more meaningful?

They say it’s hard to let go of short-term pleasure until you experience true fulfillment. Think about how family, personal goals, or a sense of community can feel. How can you bring more of that into your daily life?

Remember, every single choice you make is a trade-off. Every activity is taking the place of something else. It’s up to you to choose what truly matters in this one life you get.

An Idea I’m Trying Out:

Appreciating every single person on our team.

It’s easy to lose sight of the people that help you the most.

Sai (my brother) and I decided to order custom gift boxes and write hand-written letters to our content creators at Trendify.

The gift (shoutout Ale for the sick design)

The message that made me smile all morning and I had to share!

TLDR: Appreciation goes a long way in building a fantastic company culture.

Even if you aren’t running a business, how can you show appreciation for someone who has helped you get to where you are today?

Saw my good friend Conrad this week who helped open the door to one of our first big clients. There’s always someone out there who’s done more for you than you know.

Who’s someone who has been a key part of your journey? How can you show them a little appreciation today?"

A Question For You:

What do you most want in your life right now? How can you become the person who attracts that which you seek?

And finally, who are some people you can appreciate today?

Hit reply and let me know—I’d love to hear your thoughts and learn from your experiences.

Thanks for reading!