Selected stories of children and youth

Isn't it the little things that show we are truly changing? After all, my former self doesn't seem all that different from the Paulina of today, yet I know that even if I look identical on stage, the music playing in my soul has taken on new notes. The bass of my confidence, the high notes of improvisation, the fast tempo of my individualism and the slow rhythm of getting to know people, the high C when I let go of control and celebrate our shared success. Now I play with others; I want to trust and rely on other people.

Is it even possible to break through your internal barriers, those most personal ones? Can someone who thinks of themselves as reserved become more at ease with building relationships? Yes, you can change, and what’s more, you can do it while still being yourself—caring for others and noticing their struggles without losing your dark sense of humor, pursuing your goals while keeping the bigger picture in mind, and appreciating your talents while working on your weaknesses. It is possible; you just have to try.

I used to be convinced that today's world doesn't care for reserved and shy people who are afraid to speak their minds. The future stressed me out because I didn't know what to strive for or what goals to set for myself. Understanding who I am and finding a direction I wanted to head in was my definition of the imPossible. Now, I want to hone my passion for writing and learn to appreciate the smallest, everyday things that usually go unnoticed. I want to be able to pause in my routine, admire the world, and change it for the better.

Giving a piece of your heart to someone is more valuable than all the riches in the world. But how can you give of yourself when you lack the motivation to grow, and life feels more like a passive existence in a locked-away world? Where do you draw strength from when you are filled with constant fatigue and a sense of emptiness? My story shows that people are the key to finding meaning in life. They give us the motivation to live as well as we can. Even when it is hard to nurture hope, it is what opens up new perspectives in our minds. When I think about my biggest dream, I realize it is people and the chance for a beautiful life. How wonderful it would be to be part of a community that approaches every existence with empathy and openness. And I, perfectly fitted, can now only sing about it.

To explain where I am now, it is easier to start by sharing who I was before joining the Foundation. Back then, I carried a small void inside me. I didn't feel it, and I didn't even know it was there, but I was weighed down by a sense that something was missing, and I was constantly accompanied by a feeling of dissatisfaction and boredom. When I joined the Foundation, I was able to experience my full potential, my better side, but also face my worse one. I broke through my barriers by doing things that were impossible—impossibly beautiful because they were directed toward others and for others. That was when I felt that void and how it began to fill with a sense of fulfillment, acceptance, and the desire to start each day with lightness, to dream. Dream of what? Of a just world, a world without malice and greed, a world without fear or uncertainty—one where mutual care and love prevail, and where failure motivates us to keep going and never give up. Do I wish to live in a perfect world? Not at all. What I do every day is repeat my motto: "Remember! Life is unfair, but it is still good."

Do you know that feeling that something is missing in your life? You just know it; that awareness accompanies everything we do. Even if we cannot define that void, its presence deepens our insecurities, invalidates our strengths and skills, and leaves us with nothing but stress and the exhausting thought: is it even worth bothering? Maybe we should just accept that this is how it is and there is nothing we can do about it? Sometimes, however, changing your life only takes that first step, which, like a domino effect—feeling by feeling, experience by experience, relationship by relationship—fills our void. When I joined the Foundation, and as I gained practice alongside other participants in pushing boundaries and overcoming the impossible—not just for myself, but for others—I felt that what I was dedicating my time and energy to had meaning. Moreover, I finally knew the purpose of my actions. Getting involved with the Foundation allows me to believe in my potential and open myself up to discovering who I am and meeting many inspiring people. During the difficult time of the lockdown, and beyond, it has been a great support system and a source of positive energy and a wide smile. I am incredibly grateful that, thanks to so many amazing people, I stuck to my resolution to change something. And I have changed it forever. And my dreams? It might sound strange, but I dream of always being able to dream! I want to keep moving forward and always have the drive to give my all.

Zawsze miałam jasno sprecyzowane cele. Zawsze miałam PLAN. Muszę być najlepsza, wygrywać, podnieść się po każdej porażce. Do czasu, gdy po postu poczułam, że jestem na granicy, którą sama tak daleko przesunęłam. Moje nieMożliwe? Odpuszczenie samej sobie. Najtrudniejsze z trudnych wyzwań. Dać sobie przestrzeń do zatrzymania się i zgodę na to, by na moment nie być, wiedząc, że świat będzie toczył się dalej. Teraz, nadal chcę wygrywać, ale wygrana nie jest już moim centrum. Jest drogą, nie celem samym w sobie.

You don't have to be a genius to know that there's no gain without pain. If there's even a grain of truth to that saying, then just a few months ago, I wasn't fit to hold a candle to a fool. I was lazy, which, in my opinion, is the worst character trait of all. It kills creativity and the will to fight for your dreams. At the foundation, I managed to defeat my greatest enemy. I no longer waste my time sitting in front of a computer or on my phone; instead, I make the most of every moment. I will fulfill my dream of becoming a doctor, and no inner slacker will stand in my way. What did the foundation give me? It was here that I realized the concepts of "difficult" and "impossible" only exist in our heads. The only thing that limits us is time. I've made my decision. I will make the best use of it. What about you?

I used to be closed off, distant, and afraid of talking to others – that was the old me. Now, my world is filled with beautiful people, and I see someone unique in everyone I meet. I know that I can fight for my dreams with great determination, never giving up, and proving to those who didn't believe in me that great things in life are often within reach – if only we have the courage to go after them.

In the past, opening up to others was an insurmountable barrier for me. The desire to get to know someone clashed with the fear of being hurt, so I tried not to let people into my life. Undoubtedly, our lives can become wonderful once we start surrounding ourselves with the right people. Today, I see beauty in everything—in the world and in people. I have crossed my own "impossibles," the boundaries of fear and anxiety, making everything possible. I feel a desire to live life to the fullest, to grow, and to live as well as I can—without compromising myself or those around me.

I think many people could relate to my past, which was filled with shyness, a lack of self-belief, and a constant fear that held me back from even trying to chase my dreams. At the Foundation, I not only dared to step out of my comfort zone, but most importantly, I met many wonderful people with whom I learned how to turn the IMpossible into POSSIBLE.

We often don't realize how much depends on our self-esteem. We are frequently convinced that what we think about ourselves is true and accurate. However, we are often far too harsh in our personal assessments. That was the case for me. I see myself differently now than I did in the past. I have become more open to others, made new friends, and participating in this project taught me about collaboration and authenticity. It has become incredibly important for me to find every ray of happiness. I try to share those rays with others every day. They give me the strength to set new goals and dream about the future.

Sometimes I feel like my life is a play. ACT I: The protagonist enters the stage. We see a character who had to grow up too soon, struggling with their withdrawal from the world and other people. They yearn to fulfill their dreams, but lack the courage, doubting themselves and their potential. ACT II: It is the same person, yet transformed. They consciously strive to be better, to help others, and have found the courage not only to join the conversation but to fight for the boldest of goals. ACT III: Still a mystery… but one thing I know is that a happy ending awaits the protagonist…

It is so hard to pinpoint the moment your life turns completely around. I have made many choices in my life. Some better, some worse, but each one taught me something. I still get scared sometimes, like everyone else, wondering if I can handle it. Will I rise to the next new challenge? Now, however, I know that I want to cultivate gratitude for my loved ones, for the desire to make the world a better place, and for the need to bring happiness to others. I am learning how to offer comfort and show others how unique they are. Always.

It might seem that a positive outlook on life and being introverted are mutually exclusive, but nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, I now know that we have to fight for our openness, learn not to judge others, and remain curious about the world and the people around us. That is what has changed in me. I am discovering the courage to speak about what I find difficult and to name my imPossibilities, even if I don't yet know how to overcome them.

Realizing that my days were completely indistinguishable from one another—each a gray carbon copy of the last, a repetitive cycle of school, extracurriculars, hanging out with friends, school, extracurriculars, hanging out with friends, school…—showed me that there was nothing in my life I was truly invested in. What does "invested" mean? At first, it just meant new relationships. The "Foundation people" I met on Thursday afternoons were infectious with their smiles, energy, and drive. Then, it became a need to sit down and dedicate my time and full potential to others—the children, adults, and animals for whom we organized our projects. I learned to commit myself entirely, to keep going, to keep running, despite the obstacles I faced. I discovered that this is how I live MORE. My journey hasn't ended; I want to experience, to explore, and to see for myself that the world is round. Why do I know I’ll succeed? Because what you don't do today, you will do tomorrow.

My life lacked light—a purpose to give it meaning. Feeling like I had no control over the reality around me led to a serious crisis. Yet, that experience taught me that it’s not our crises that define our identity, but what we do afterward. After all, as long as you keep fighting, you’re a winner. It took time and a lot of effort to get through that, but at some point, I realized I was on the other side of the imPossible. I discovered traits within myself that allow me to set my goals and the path to achieving them. I found values that let me know who I am. Looking toward my future, I don’t always see its exact shape, but it’s easier for me to dream now. Next stop—me at the F1 races.