As 2024 comes to an end, I can’t help but think about everything that happened this year. Life moves so fast—between school, sports, and everything in between—that it’s easy to get caught up in our routines and forget to slow down. But when I pause and reflect, I start to think about the impact we’ve had on the people around us—our family, friends, teammates, and even our community. Whether it’s cheering on a teammate during a game, or just being there for the people we care about, those moments stick with us. This year has taught me how important those connections are, and how much we can influence each other, even through the smallest actions.
In 2024, I realized helping others doesn’t mean you have to do something huge. Even the small things make a difference: pulling weeds at a small organic farm, spending the morning socializing cats at the local animal shelter, tutoring a teammate for a biology test, or just saying something nice when someone needs it. Those little moments add up and can make a bigger impact than we think. When I look back, I’m proud of the little ways my friends and I tried to help out and make life better for the people around us.
But reflecting isn’t just about what we did for others—it’s also about looking inward and asking, What can I do better? This year, I tried to make healthier choices, like eating better and getting outside more. It means learning to rest when I need to, finding balance in my days, taking a break from my phone and social media, and spending more in person time with people who inspire me. Those choices make me stronger and allow me to show up as my best self for others.
As we head into a new year, I want to challenge myself—and all of us—to keep finding ways to grow and share these lessons with others around us wherever we go. Whether it’s talking to friends, teachers, or the cashier at the local coffee shop, we can help inspire healthier habits and a spirit of kindness that lasts for generations.
So as we start the new year, take a second to look back at everything you’ve done—even the small stuff—and think about what you want to do next. Sometimes it’s the little things that end up making the biggest difference.
Here’s to 2025—let’s keep helping, growing, and doing our best—together.
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