#newbeginnings + W O LFIE SU B MISSI O N S +
2016 is here and the wolfies are discussing their thoughts, ambitions, and goals for 2016. Welcome to the New Year! // PHOTO (LEFT): WICY ZHANG / CORONA, CA Possibly my favorite philosopher, Søren Kierkegaard once said, “To exist, if this is not to be understood as merely existing, cannot be done without passion.” Journaling is my refuge, my safe haven. I find solace in placing my pen onto paper and having my thoughts unfold before my eyes. Thoughts that resided in my subconscious. Thoughts that was incognizant to my consciousness. When I write, my heart deepens and intensifies; similar to a tsunamis build up. My heartbeat becomes magnetized to my thoughts and without my thoughts, there is no pulse. Recently, I filled up the pages in my deeply treasured little beige book that I have been journaling in (and carrying in my purse every day) since November 2013. Now that my companion of three years has given me all its pages to habituate and disclose my observational sensibility and logical reasoning to, I have decided to venture on a personal journey for past, present, and future me and take journaling (as well as poems, stories, and articles I’ve written for my school’s newspaper) to the 21st century through social media. I reckoned it was time to bring my words to a life outside of my personal orbit. I would journal vigorously throughout 2014 and now through 2015 to improve as a writer and to clear the clatter that my mind produced. I had to make time for my thoughts because I know the consequences of brushing aside my sentiments (which is unhealthy, honor your emotions is a motto I hold close to my heart). There’s a light in me that has been switched on for the New Year, bringing hope to my heart and soul. I have magic spreading through my body, at the tips of my fingers. – CINDY MATHEUS / MIAMI, FL Each number on the countdown of New Year’s Eve is one second closer to a fresh start. When the ball drops, we throw our hands in the air, clink our glasses, and celebrate the beginning that is the New Year. But why should we only celebrate the first day? My goal in 2016 is to make my life one worth living. Sure, it sounds like the overused cliché “live every day like your last,” but why shouldn’t we? In other words, I will make it my mission to hold onto my motivation. I don’t want to find myself in the never-ending world of procrastination. This year, I want to strive towards excellence and success. I don’t only want to make goals but I want to achieve them. – KARINA DOMINGUEZ / MARTINEZ, CA
In 2016, I want to be me, but on fire. I want to learn so much, and learn so in depth that I glow, that I crackle. I want to grow a second skin; I want to be someone completely new. If I like this new me, I’ll keep it. If not, I’ll watch it burn. In 2016, I want to be a fighter. In 2016, I want to be humble. I want to help others and better myself all at once. I want people to look at me and shield their eyes because they’ve always been taught not to stare into the sun. In 2016, I want to write. I want to write frequently and without refrain, until the pencil marks on my paper start to look like this visions I have in my head. In 2016, I want to change the world— even if it means changing myself first. I’m not scared of change but in fact I welcome it. There is ice growing on my heart and in between my toes and I can’t wait to start burning-melting away this past year. I can’t wait to watch the things that once held me back disappear into smoke. In 2016, I’m going to burn a path worth following. After all, if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this-if you’re going to go out in flame, be a supernova, not a forest fire. – NATALIE CARTER / NORCO, CA Most of the time, we think the New Year is an opportunity to really change ourselves for the better and start doing new things. In reality, we always want to improve ourselves; we just never have enough motivation. The New Year is the time our brains are telling us, “Your time is up, and you need to start now.” I am one of those people. For the past three years, I have been dealing with a lot of self-esteem issues that always seem to hold me back. I love dancing, but never had the guts to try out for the school dance crew. I love writing, but the newspaper club has always terrified me. When we think about our regrets, we tend to beat ourselves up and end up feeling lost. The New Year is a time for letting go of all those regrets, to start a new beginning. So for the New Year, I am making sure that I make the most out of every opportunity I get. When one is lost on an island, he doesn’t just sit by the beach hoping for somebody to find him. Yes, he’s confused and terrified, but that doesn’t stop him from getting butt up and start looking for food and shelter. The New Year is the island, full of dangerous yet wonderful opportunities. We won’t get by without stepping out of our comfort zones and taking a chance. I am ready to destroy all my insecure thoughts this 2016. I am ready for a new year, a new much more fulfilled self, and for a new beginning. – LIZZIE FILART / MANILA, PHILIPPINES
local wolves magazine — 15