Yang Jiang lived to 104, outliving the people she loved most. But through it all, she kept working, writing, and honouring the life she built. If that’s not tough, I don’t know what is.

And today, I know:
Freedom and choice are life’s most basic, precious rights.

They are never given.
They are fought for, every day, by women like us.

Throughout a woman's journey of growth, there are always those "heroines" who quietly illuminate the path ahead from different times and places.

For me, four women left the deepest marks on my life. Their stories, their strength, and their spirits shaped the kind of woman I aspire to be.

Some say love is about selfless giving, but love is also about flow—it moves, it circulates, and it exists in the details of everyday life. As long as we open our hearts, we will find love everywhere.

During our walks, you would listen intently to my stories and then say with conviction, “You need to write all of this down—the world needs to hear your voice.” Your belief in me gave me the confidence to keep going, even when I doubted myself.

Some say distance weakens relationships, but I believe distance isn’t the issue—neglect is.

I’ll be honest—sometimes, this way of expressing friendship frustrates me. It feels like there’s an invisible wall between people, making deep emotional connection difficult. So why does this happen?

So, what is love, truly?

Perhaps, love is connection. It is understanding and the selfless act of giving. It is in the silent embrace of two elderly lovers, in the watchful care of a penguin family, in the gentle words of a mother serving her child a bowl of soup. It transcends time, space, and even species, reminding us that we are all part of something greater.

In the end, love is the thread that binds all life together—a quiet yet powerful force that gives meaning to our existence.

Whether it’s the Lantern Festival’s Tangyuan or Valentine’s Day’s roses and chocolates, festivals are universal expressions of love. Different cultures may have different ways of celebrating, but they all share the same desire—to cherish, connect, and hope for happiness.

Music is more than just melodies; it is a vessel of emotions, a witness to love.

It could be a cassette tape, an MP3 attachment in an email, a flash mob proposal’s background music, or the soundtrack to a timeless opera or ballet.

My son and I enjoy taking walks together. When he was eight, I once asked him, "Why did you choose me to be your mother?"

He thought for a moment and replied, "I didn’t choose you, that was random!"

On the last day of 2024, I wrote these words in my journal: “May I record life each day, even if it’s just a fleeting thought.” These words are not just a promise to myself but a bridge that connects me to the world.

In both Eastern and Western cultures, there are interesting differences in attitudes towards receiving and sharing gifts. In the West, there’s often a focus on personalisation and the element of surprise. In the East, gifts tend to convey symbolic blessings and foster relationships. For example, in China, red envelopes aren’t just gifts—they symbolise good fortune.

Some say dreams are far from reality. But I believe that by taking small steps daily, the future will become clearer. Whether in writing, life coaching, or cultural exchange, these new roles are mirrors of my growth, reflecting the infinite possibilities of life.

The gift of transition lies not only in new beginnings but also in the process of rediscovering yourself.

I believe that farewell isn’t an end—it’s the beginning of a new chapter. The memories I’ve made here will fuel my journey forward, and the warmth I’ve experienced will remain the foundation of my life. Every day ahead is a gift waiting to be unwrapped.

Have you experienced an “ending” that opened the door to a new beginning? Maybe it was a job change, the end of a relationship, or an unplanned decision.

The power of small actions lies in their ability to plant seeds, which, over time, grow into something extraordinary.

Through this experience, I learned that a good beginning doesn’t have to be perfect. What matters is seizing opportunities and bravely taking the first step, as it can change the course of your life.