I sit down to write this column looking at the last page of my annual calendar, as if it were a leaf from a tree that had dried up and was about to fall, ending the story. In this way, this time makes me think and evaluate, because the passage and weight of the years made me realize that neither the change of year, nor dinner, nor twelve grapes, nor the color of underwear, nor the letters we write full of purpose, nor a doll will make a difference which burns on a bonfire while firecrackers explode. The only thing that has to change for everything to change is our attitude towards life and determination in the face of adversity. Stop complaining about the actions of others and start creating your own path. Accept what won’t change, see if we’re that happy, and if we’re not, have the courage to walk away. Staying in one place only because of fear, habit or guilt means slowly dying and life should be lived to the fullest, intensely, without hiding, suffering and lying.

On the same track, as I review the words and arrange the ideas, as if by chance, Julio Iglesias starts playing in the background saying to me: “From so much running through life without brakes, I forgot that life is lived for a long moment… I wanted so much to be first in everything, I forgot to live small details…”. And I’m left with this idea: To what extent does our legitimate right to improve ourselves end up being a voracious ambition that can blind us and rob us of the finer details of life? There are people who are clearly hungry for social recognition, although they try to hide it under a layer of “spirit of service”, their networks full of photos “in the territory helping others” betray them. Therefore, I am convinced that true happiness is found in simplicity and within the family. A life of longing for money, power, positions, public recognition and applause seems to me like a useless race after mirages that only feed our vanity.

In contrast, the passage of time helps us realize that walking hand in hand with someone who loves us sincerely and exclusively, within real, mutual and healthy love in real life, is better than a photo posed for Instagram. With the arrival of gray hairs and wrinkles, we accept that youth ends and life has an expiration date, even if we fill ourselves with botox, dyes and surgeries, for these reasons we appreciate those who listen carefully and laugh when they feel that life is turning grey. Let’s remember that the time will come to realize that we have already lived more years than we have left, so we will walk slowly enjoying the ride regardless of the destination, enjoying life with all its flavors because we realized that we only have now.

Finally, this last month, let’s open our hearts to let go of those words or situations that hurt us, save only the good and be grateful. Everything is learned. Consequently, I end this year with the words of Albert Camus: “Life is the sum of all your choices”, we have time to think about those that bring peace and prosperity. (OR)