Man in the mirror

This is a year of mistakes and growth. I came to this point of reflection slightly early, albeit the new year is still months away. But since I have decided to be honest with my thoughts, it seems to me a cardinal sin to delay the realization and correction. On top of that, let's celebrate the courage it takes —- for correction inevitably brings discomfort.

My lifelong challenge is to hone my judgment and minimize errors in evaluating the quality of people I choose to surround myself with. Through these many years, I've learned that expectation management is among the most important lessons—and a profound gift one can cultivate. With low to none expectations, I experienced joy from the most unexpected encounters. Pleasant surprises are always encouraging, the beauty of them is this: the right decision often endures and blossoms along the way, while mistakes gradually fade.

If there’s a takeaway from today’s sharing, it would be:

Never look or fall for the parchments one hangs on the wall.

Of course, it can be challenging to see the world without wide-eyed wonder, yet I think clinging less obstinately to one's illusions doesn't mean surrendering your innocence. A person's qualifications and dazzling title suffixes can offer inferences about their dispositions, but be aware of its limitations. You'll find peace in realizing that sometimes, some achievements are often independent of their own valor: the trajectories that lead to victory often hinge on external forces or sheer luck. It is more reliable to observe one’s behavior, like gauging the river's current before taking the ride. I've come to believe even more firmly that talents and character can only be refined and they remain largely innate. That said, I seek out for a person’s raw nature and embrace the unvarnished side.

And… instead of being disappointed by your “good-but-far-from-fabulous” surroundings, start the change from within. I see the world now more as a projection of my inner self, and ironically, the only change one can ever achieve in life is oneself. You can inspire, but never force significant changes in others—so spare yourself the disappointment. Aha :)

Own your decisions with conviction, yet remain flexible with others' dispositions. These are the major lessons I've gleaned this year. From such pain, true gems can emerge. My realizations quiet my ruffled mind and continue to crafting a restful pillow for every night.

I wish you all the very best—and the gift of good sleep each night.

Gianna