Last year, I learned how to celebrate achievements that go unseen: returning to work after the war, and simply continuing to move forward. This year, I learned to surrender what I cannot change, and that adaptability is a skill we must have in order to keep going—no matter what.

Surprise Is a Natural Part of Life

At the beginning of the year, I wasn’t overwhelmed with decisions or detailed plans. I had expectations and clear paths I believed I was walking. But life has a way of surprising us with changes we never anticipated—changes that completely overturn the equation and place us before unavoidable decisions or circumstances.

It is unfortunate that I did not fully internalize this truth even after experiencing war; it seems our personal struggles run deepest within us. You may suddenly find yourself facing a new feeling, an unexpected decision, or an event that alters the course of everything.

Sometimes, Adaptability Is the Only Reward

We cannot control everything—this is a truth we must come to terms with. Not everything we plan will unfold as expected. Learning how to deal with change is part of the soul’s resilience, a reminder of our humanity, and of faith in destiny.

I learned that the value of time is not measured only by achievements, but by our ability to face the unexpected. These hidden achievements—patience, confrontation, endurance—are essential for moving forward.

Goodness Lies in the Opposite

Sometimes, we discover our strength in the hardest moments. I believe we are stronger than we think, and that we often need a push into confrontation to see the truth clearly. We walk paths we never planned to take, only to find that goodness was waiting there.

More than ever, I learned the meaning of certainty and surrender. Our expectations are not necessarily what is best for us. The transformations I went through this year became an opportunity to build psychological resilience, reassess myself, and discover emotions whose beauty I had never fully realized.

The Most Important Moment Is Now

When you realize how suddenly everything can change, you learn to live the present moment fully—to celebrate what you have now and welcome what comes without hesitation. Many times, I lost myself worrying about things that never happened, gaining nothing but anxiety in the present and the loss of real, immediate opportunities: joy, peace, and a sense of pride.

We need to become more aware of the value of time and emotions. I believe our awareness of our own worth is deeply connected to this. The moment we live in is our greatest opportunity for inner calm.

Stagnation Wastes Opportunities

Livelihood is a blessing, yet over time we may take it for granted and forget how easily it can be lost. I learned to always prepare for the next step in my professional life, and not to settle too comfortably in a place where I do not have full control.

This year, my professional drive was fueled by fear of loss. Next year, it will be driven by conscious awareness of the importance of continuous growth, and readiness—whenever possible—for any change that may come.

Love: Stillness in the Midst of Chaos

It is astonishing how butterflies can settle in your heart, and calm can surround you, even while circumstances remain difficult and unresolved. Yet somehow, you feel as though the whole world belongs to you.

Love gives us the strength to endure hardships and adds deeper meaning to everything. While circumstances may remain unchanged, love and gratitude are what make everything feel lighter—almost instantly.

Gratitude for All That Is Good

Amid all the changes, gratitude remained present. Gratitude for ease when things felt complicated, for God’s protection in moments when mercy mattered more than explanation. Gratitude for having made it through, and for still standing despite everything that could have broken us.

I am surrounded by gratitude for the blessings that remain, and for the blessings that arrive each time to soften the weight of hardship: quiet mornings, comforting companionship. Gratitude does not always change reality, but it changes how we see it—and gives us a deeper capacity to endure.

Opportunities, challenges, and circumstances differ from one person to another. But what we gain from resilience, certainty, and gratitude for everything we go through is what makes us stronger in confrontation, and more prepared for whatever life brings our way.