12/31/2025
As we trip over our own feet while gazing around, take a moment to cherish the beauty that surrounds you, knowing that in a year's time, everything will have transformed - probably into something unrecognizable, like your New Year's resolutions. Have you ever pondered the significance of treasuring each moment, aware that it might be the last time you experience it, mainly because you'll be too busy binge-watching Netflix? This realization profoundly resonated with me this month - the last holiday party, the final walk through a familiar doorway without being late. The last time something feels comfortably routine, like playing the same playlist in class. In a year from now, things will have changed, such is the nature of life, and hopefully, your to-do list will be completed. I'm thankful for this poignant reminder on the cusp of the New Year, when news of the gym's closure hit me like a gut punch, reminding me not to rush through life's precious moments, like trying new restaurants. Take your time, savor every instant, and let the beauty of the present be your guide, unless your guide is a GPS, then good luck with that. Because there will come a day when you'll yearn for the memories you could have created, the loved ones you could have cherished, and the simple joys you might have overlooked - the warmth of sunlight, the comfort of familiar spaces, life's little moments of wonder, and actually being able to stick to a diet. Life's fleeting nature is what makes it so precious, so hold dear the moments that make life worth living and let the present moment fill you with awe and gratitude, or at least a decent Wi-Fi signal. Here's to embracing new beginnings and adventures in 2026 with open hearts, minds, and not too many expectations.
Sincerely,
Shanna, or to many, banana.