Welcome to my monthly updates! I hope you can learn a little bit more about the work that I am doing while I study at Hawai’i Pacific University.
“The lens we choose transforms the way we look at things.”
– Dewitt Jones
Next Chapter:
Happy New Year! I hope you had a gentle holiday season and are excited for a new chapter in my life! The updates for this year will be slightly different.
2025 Kaleidoscope and Once Upon a Year (2026)
As you know, last year was a kaleidoscope.
It was an opportunity to turn the lens slowly, again and again, watching as the pieces of my life rearranged themselves into new patterns. Nothing was wasted; the broken edges caught the light. I learned to pause before assuming what the picture would look like when finished, learning to trust in a new perspective. Learning that meaning is not fixed and that I can live with colors rather than conclusions.
Our lives are not isolated; each experience refracts into the next. Joy can be brighter by contrast; discomfort was just a piece of information. While there may be missteps, delays, detours, and unanswered questions, they were a part of the design. It wasn’t about trying to control the outcome, but staying curious and watching how it shifts.
A kaleidoscope was something I looked through, and you don’t live inside it. You observe, learn, and eventually you have to put the lens down.
2026 is something I want to step into.
This year, I am no longer observing the patterns of life or reframing things; I am choosing. Rather than focusing on What could this become? I am looking at what story am I am telling by how I live? I’m ready to walk forward into a new story,
Once Upon a Year does not promise perfection or certainty. It is a promise to be present and move through the days as the main character. Not a rushed story, not reactive, and not waiting for the plot of the book to start. The story has started to unfold its pages in the quiet mornings, decisions, and unfinished drafts that I am writing this year.
Last year taught me how to see, Once Upon a Year is teaching me how to live.
So I begin without resolutions, but intentions.
No answers, but curiosity.
No pressure, but trust.
Once upon a year, the story continues.
This year, my updates will be at the end of the month as I draft characters and a story that evolves with everything that I do. You may even get to see some beautiful images on this voyage that I am taking.
Personal Life Continued:
The website had a few subtle changes in how things are labeled and organized. There is also a new Horizon tab that keeps track of my goals, a voyage tab if you are curious to keep up to date with my journey this year or from last year, and the blog is now called Wave whispers.
I survived my 3rd 5K, and I beat my time by around 5 minutes. I rolled my ankle the day before, so I was limping during parts of the race, and probably could have gone faster, but I didn’t want to risk injuring it even more. So stay tuned for my races this 2026 season. I am planning to do over 10 races this year, starting off with Rose Bowl 5K, Spartan Stadion, Race on the Base 5K, and the LA 5K. Then I am hoping to end 2026 with the Honolulu Marathon.
This month, I am running 62 miles for the American Cancer Society and would appreciate any donations to my fundraiser: https://www.gofundme.com/manage/run-62-miles-for-the-american-cancer-society-wjzzf
In addition, I am looking to raise $1500 for the Cancer Research Institute (CRI) Charity as my ticket to participate in the Honolulu Marathon. I will be sending a link out for this soon, as the CRI is reaching out to me to help set up a page. If you would like to donate money to support with my nutrition, race costs, and other training gear (e.g., shoes, flights) I will also be setting up a GoFundMe/Venmo/CashApp/Paypal page for people to support in the next few weeeks.
Hawai’i Pacific University:
I completed my first two terms acing my classes, and I am excited to start the next term in a few weeks. I got accepted into the AOTA/AOTF Institute for Future Scientists in Occupational Therapy! I am excited to start up some really cool research this year, looking into 3D printing and Disaster Response.
I also wanted to announce that I am running for a position at the national level in AOTA. I am running for the Assembly of Student Delegates (ASD) OT Vice Chairperson. I’m excited to be running against several other candidates, and I hope to learn a lot from this experience as I network with OTs and students across the country.
I also applied to another program in Nevada and am hoping to hear back from that program soon.
Special Projects:
Bran Diego Photos – BranDiegoPhotography
Thank you for your time, dedication, and service! You can always reach out to me @ bran.m.ramirez@gmail.com
-Brandon Ramirez