Lanterns light up the night; our hearts illuminate our dreams.

On the evening of the Lantern Festival, over 30 Cangli members gathered online to celebrate with warmth, reflection, and shared intentions. This wasn’t just a festive meetup—it was a moment of deep connection: to tradition and our roots; to our community, both new and familiar faces; and to our inner visions and dreams.

Co-hosted by Cangli’s organizer Qiao Zhang and life coach Cheng Zeng, the evening revolved around two themes: Dreams and Connection.

Together, we: Revisited childhood memories to reconnect with the spark of our inner light. Used meditation and writing to visualize our dreams for 2025. Released those dreams into the sky through guided imagery—trusting they will grow in time.

Honoring Tradition: One Lantern, One Wish

From ancient rituals to modern celebration, the Lantern Festival marks renewal and hope.

For centuries, people have celebrated this day by eating sweet glutinous rice balls, admiring lantern displays, and releasing sky lanterns—entrusting their wishes to the heavens, letting their dreams travel with the light.

Inspired by these traditions like, the gathering unfolded in three parts: Lantern Encounters: Reconnecting with each other Full Moon Wishes: Reconnecting with our dreams Lantern Light Flow: Releasing our intentions In a modern setting, we rekindled the gentle warmth of tradition.

Lantern Encounters: Childhood Dreams Resurface

Each attendee was randomly matched with two others to chat and reflect:

“What was your childhood dream?”

The answers sparkled—pilot, actor, diplomat, writer, farmer in a quiet land.

Though varied, every story carried the same light in the eyes: a reminder of the brave, curious child within us all.

Full Moon Wishes: Reconnecting with our dreams

“If today were the last day of 2025, how would you look back on it?”

Guided by Coach Cheng, we closed our eyes and journeyed to the last day of 2025—feeling the space around us, our inner state, the people beside us, and the touch of dreams that had quietly come true.

Writing by a sunlit window—her dream of becoming a writer finally realized.

Sharing a quiet family moment—simple, yet profoundly fulfilling.

In the end, happiness and dreams may not be grand destinations—they live in our presence, in moments deeply felt, voices truly heard, and passions quietly pursued.

Releasing Light: A Sky Full of Dreams

As the night deepened, Qiao led a final meditation.

Eyes closed, we imagined placing our wishes into sky lanterns and watching them rise—floating gently into the stars.

The message: Trust the process. Dreams grow when nurtured with time and action.

Reflections: A Gentle Space for the Soul

As the event came to a close, the chat lit up with heartfelt words:

“It felt like a spa for the soul.”

“I hadn’t listened to my dreams in so long.”

“I feel less alone, hearing everyone’s sharing.”

In the glow of lanterns and community, we remembered what matters:

To believe in our dreams.To feel connected.To take action, gently and surely. May 2025 be a year of light, warmth, and transformation.