MIDNIGHT 00:00 AND THE NEW YEAR

Yes, tonight is just another ordinary evening. At midnight, the only thing that will change is the numbers on the calendar—one more day, one more month, one more year. I will go to bed in the same bed and wake up as the same "me."

But hope is one of the most essential things a person needs. New Year’s Eve is perhaps the one day when the entire world collectively celebrates, remembering their hopes and dreams. That’s what makes it special, exciting, and beautiful.

This year, I decided to prepare a self-report card. I started writing it a few weeks ago—personal and societal challenges that caught my attention, unsolved problems, miracles that happened to me, unexpected surprises, moments of joy… From each, I took lessons, reflections, and identified experiences that still have a way to go.

Of course, as long as life allows, there will be more paths to walk, lessons to learn, and experiences to share. Every moment, there will be people by my side—some chosen by me, some encountered along the way. There will be times when I grieve for losses and others when I celebrate new beginnings. But no matter what I go through, I will try to live with gratitude for this gift of existence.

On my self-report card, I have subjects I’ve passed with flying colors and others where I barely made it through. After all, life doesn’t require us to be the top student in every class. Sometimes, the "troublemaker" in us and the "perfectionist" need to make peace and learn to enjoy coexisting.

So, as I wish for myself, I wish for everyone: Love, peace, understanding, compassion, happiness, health, joy, abundance, and of course, love—with a touch of adventure and color.

May the whole world step into a year filled with love.

And you? What are you carrying with you into the new year? What do you wish for?