Have you ever stopped to consider the distinction between goals and wishes? It’s rooted in the notion of agency.
When we set goals, we actively shape the path toward an outcome, whether through small, deliberate steps or bold, transformative decisions.
Wishes, on the other hand, exist outside the realm of our control. They dwell in the domain of the unattainable, governed by forces beyond our influence— what Brazilian writer Nelson Rodrigues called “life as it is.”
As 2024 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on two significant milestones: a decade of teaching and three decades alive (though not always kicking). After all this time, here’s my list of goals and wishes for 2025.
Goals
To cultivate greater self-compassion. While I take pride in my discipline when it comes to the things I truly care about, I’m still learning to extend that same care and kindness to myself.
To foster more exchanges of knowledge— and to grow through these interactions.
To place my health at the forefront of my priorities, which is way easier said than done.
Wishes
That teachers around the world receive fair salaries, befitting their vital contributions to society.
That educators be treated with respect— if not as indispensable professionals for the growth and well-being of an entire society, at least as human beings.
What else would you add to the list?
Comments