After leaving the grand stage, she walked through the quiet streets, the buzz of the ballroom still echoing in her mind.
Her heart was full, yet calm—a rare balance she had never felt before.
On the way home, she stopped at a small café she often passed.
The barista greeted her with a familiar smile.
"Good evening, Noona. How was the event?" he asked.
She smiled warmly, a different kind of smile than the confident one on stage.
"It was… unforgettable. But tonight, I realized something more important than the award," she said softly.
The barista tilted his head. "Oh? What's that?"
"I realized… I have to start by loving myself. No matter what happened in the past, I deserve my own kindness," she explained.
He smiled back, genuinely. "That's… beautiful. I think everyone could use a reminder like that."
She left the café with a lighter step. On the street, she saw a little girl struggling to carry a stack of books.
Without thinking, she walked over and helped her, smiling encouragingly.
The girl looked up, surprised, then returned a shy, bright smile.
A small moment, but it filled her heart with warmth.
Back in her apartment, she opened her notebook and wrote a short list for the next day:
Smile at at least one stranger
Give a small compliment to a colleague
Hug myself and say, "I deserve this love"
Even small actions could ripple outward, she realized.
The heart that doesn't lose its way… was starting to grow, one gentle act at a time.