It could have been worse

Years ago, while working with a colleague named Maureen, I learnt to dust off my pants and always start afresh. For every challenging situation that we manoeuvred through and I was feeling very heartbroken, she would always tell me ‘Matred, it could have been worse.’ Initially, I thought it was a safe way of embracing failure, but not anymore.

Towards the tail end of 2024, I went through a very nasty accident on the Kampala-Jinja Highway that was almost fatal. I woke up from the trauma thinking of all the plans I had made that day, the different appointments I had scheduled, and none could be executed, not even in the coming weeks.

 While lying in bed in pain, looking helpless with bandages all over, that is when I understood the meaning of “It could have been worse.” The pain I was feeling didn’t matter, the wounds didn’t matter, cancelled appointments didn’t matter, only life did! and in that moment, I could hear Maureen say, “Matred, it could have been worse”January is here and many of us have mixed feeling about the next 365 days.

Whereas a section of society is looking forward to take on new challenges and explore new horizons, there’s a category that is nursing wounds, heartbreaks, losses, unfulfilled dreams, health challenges, financial struggles, job loss, name it..... That moment when you look ahead, but all you can see is emptiness, and your shadow looking right back at you, as if mocking you.

Well, the fact that you are reading this article means you are still alive, and mother nature is giving you another chance to try...... otherwise, it could have been worse.You invested heavily, and did not reap the intended benefits, just know, it could have been worse.

You clicked your deadline of 35 years to be legally married and you are yet to find the right partner, it could have been worse.You completed your treatment regimen and are still in pain, it could have been worse.

Let us not declare mourning for the losses made in 2024. Forgive yourself. We have yet another chance to start afresh, make each day count in the new year. Rejuvenate that business, establish new relationships, change that lifestyle, change location where necessary, just do something. Start with the end goal in mind and then set achievable milestones along the way to keep you going.

While at it, we need to remember that life shall not always happen the way we planned. There shall be delays, some plans shall be cancelled, resources get depleted along the way, partners pull out, relationships fail, and a lot more. So, prepare for the bumpy ride as well. Challenges sharpen us, propel us to do more, and appreciate the final outcome. You remain accountable for every decision taken and not taken.Let us embrace 2025 with optimism, you are your number one cheerleader, pull out the vuvuzela, pull out the drum, pull out the trumpet! Happy New Year!

The author, Ms Matred Murungi is the Corporate Social Responsibility manager at East African Crude Oil Pipeline Project (EACOP).
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