At the beginning of 2022, I found myself contemplating the concept of change. Throughout my life, I have experienced numerous transformations, both physical and mental. However, there was a moment when I felt stuck in the desire to revert back to my 2019 self. I had idealized that version of me, believing it was the pinnacle of who I could be. I longed to regain what I thought I had lost. I tried extreme diets, pushed myself to exercise excessively, and more.

During this time, I began delving into philosophy. I remember walking my dog and pondering, "Why do I want to become someone I already was, instead of allowing myself to become something more?" I often reflected on Heraclitus' famous quote, "One cannot step into the same river twice, for it is not the same river and you are not the same person." This realization dawned upon me: I could never truly go back to being that person. That version of me hadn't experienced the things I would encounter in the future, nor did it possess the wisdom gained from past mistakes.

Thus, I arrived at the phrase, "Yesterday I was, Today I am, Tomorrow I will be." This phrase signifies that I am in a constant state of change. I will never fully know myself, as I will continue to make mistakes, improve in certain aspects, and evolve. I am not the same person I was before. Inspired by this realization, one of my high school teachers reached out and asked if I would be interested in giving a talk at the school about this quote. I gladly accepted the opportunity, although unfortunately, there are no photos as evidence. Nonetheless, it was gratifying to know that I left a positive message with those students.