2026 Attitude: A Compassionate Heart 💛

Attitude. I’ve come to believe that life is less about WHAT happens to me, and more about HOW I respond. I can’t always control the what, but I can choose the how.

Every year, I choose one word (or phrase) to live by — not as a goal, but as an attitude.

This year, I chose a compassionate heart (긍휼한 마음). The choice to pause judgment for a moment and step forward in understanding. Instead of asking, “Why are you like this?” or “Why did you do this?” I want to pause and ask, “How hard has it been for you?” and “How much have you been carrying?” A compassionate heart reminds me that everyone is carrying a story we cannot fully see. And that understanding often begins not with answers, but with better questions.

🐎 And yes — it’s the Year of the Horse. I was born in the Year of the Horse, so it feels like my year! Moving forward with inner strength and gentleness, while staying grounded in compassion.

🍋 Gentle Reminder
Through Dr. Lemon Group, I continue to build spaces shaped by my journey as an international student and my work in higher education. If your work touches international students in any way — faculty, staff, administrators, or allies — I’d love for you to join this upcoming free workshop:

✨ Free Workshop: Building Belonging
📅 January 9 (Friday) | 2:00 PM EST
🔗 RSVP: https://lnkd.in/gqJjECra
📌 Website: drlemongroup.com

We’ll explore research-based approaches, real stories, and practical strategies for supporting international students — and I’ll also share a preview of Dr. Lemon Group’s work.

Here’s to 2026 — a year of compassion and deeper understanding. 🍋

#Attitude #Compassion #HigherEducation #InternationalStudents #Belonging #StudentSuccess #DrLemonGroup