You Never Know What Anyone Has or Is Going Through

One thing my journey has taught me more than anything is that you truly never know what someone has lived through or what they are carrying inside. People walk around every day with smiles, routines, and responsibilities, but behind all of that is a story you may know nothing about.

My own life is proof of that.

Most people who meet me today see the woman I am now. A wife, a mother, a Glam-ma, a business owner, a creator, someone who is building a beautiful life. They see the blessings, the joy, the confidence, and the love that surrounds me. What they do not see unless I share it is the story behind all of that.

They do not see the poverty my family lived through in Korea.

They do not see the heartbreak my biological mother carried.

They do not see the adoption, the confusion, the loss, or the unanswered questions.

They do not see the challenges that shaped me.

They do not see the strength it took to search for the truth.

They do not see the courage it took to reunite.

They do not see the fear that still exists when it comes to the parts of my story that remain unfinished.

They do not see that I lost two people who truly cared for me.

And at the same time, I do not know the stories behind the people I meet either.

Everyone carries something.

Everyone has lived through moments that changed them.

Everyone has battles that are invisible from the outside.

This is why understanding and compassion matter so much.

A kind word.

A gentle response.

A moment of patience.

These small things can mean everything to someone whose heart feels heavy.

Life has taught me that assumptions are dangerous. You never know why someone reacts the way they do. You never know what kind of loss they have survived. You never know what kind of hurt they grew up with, or what kind of strength it took for them to keep going.

If you knew people’s stories, you might view them completely differently.

My own story has made me softer. It has made me slower to judge and quicker to understand. It has made me realize that people are much more than what they show on the surface. And sometimes the strongest people are the ones who have survived the most.

So if there is one message I hope people take from my journey, it is this:

Be kind.

Be gentle.

Be patient.

You never know what anyone has faced, what they are facing now, or what they are trying their hardest to overcome. And sometimes, kindness becomes the moment that helps someone get through one more day.