2022: A TIGER’S ROAR OF BRAVERY

GRAZIEL MAE G. RAMAT

In this era our

of lives where everything seems to be in a fast pace, we go on with the rushing flow of things for the sake of not being left behind. In between these times, there are days when we feel like pausing for a moment to ask ourselves…

“Am I actually in the right direction?” “Do I really like this path in my life that I have taken?” “Am I actually following the signs right?” We doubt our choices. Doubt, with the feeling of being lost in the endless possibilities of choices, is scary. We are scared of changing our directions because we think that we might be alone and lost when we choose the path with lesser travellers. We are scared of the possibility that, what if we’re just wasting time doubting? But what if we’re actually saving it for the things that will make us feel really… fulfilled? Happy? Content? Will it be worth it? The opportunities of the New Year 2022 might be the perfect little push for everyone to take the leap gracefully like a tiger towards the things that we want to be. Like the representation of a water tiger, having the strength and bravery is a must-have in life, and most especially, the self-esteem to make everything a reality. You want to make a new image for yourself? Go on. Not really sure of your college course? Take your time to feel what you really want. Is your current work environment burning you out? Find a better one. You want to move out and start anew? No one is stopping you. Want to establish an interesting small business? You got this! Taking risks and making changes–big or small–is in favour this Year of the Water Tiger. You have the whole year of 2022 to find your enthusiasm in things back again. Who knows? The following years might bear the fruits of what we will be planting today, since it just doesn't happen overnight. Like they say, good things take time. Let us also take this opportunity to make and build connections. One cannot grow alone; we don’t have everything that we need to grow. We need connections, the people around us–to help us become the person that we want to be. Do not be afraid to fail and be deceived, learn from every experience and mistake that we will encounter. Some of us might thrive in the great leap, some might crash and burn; but remember, fortune favours the brave. This must be why the Tiger, in Chinese beliefs, is considered to be the king of all beasts. They conquer, and so should we. As we make choices in life, luck may not always be on our side, but as long as we have the will power and bravery to take the leap… things will always fit in their right places at the right time. At the end of the day–or the year rather, we will look back and can say… “I’ve made the right choice, after all.”