In a few days, the year will draw to a close. And naturally, we’ll look back and take stock of what we’ve accomplished – or, perhaps more dauntingly, what we have not.
Maybe there was a dream you were so sure you’d reach in 2024 – a new job, a personal milestone, or establishing a relationship. It is tempting to let the disappointment settle in, to let it whisper doubts about your worth or your abilities.
But let me tell you this: what’s meant for you will find its way to you. Not on your timeline, but on its own.
I was reminded of this truth in a rather unexpected way a few years ago. I had applied for a position that seemed like the perfect fit, a role I had been eyeing for years and one I felt I was more than ready for. I put my heart into the application, even imagining what my life might look like once I got the offer. But when the rejection came through, I felt a crushing sense of defeat. “This was supposed to be it,” I thought.
Fast forward a few months, I stumbled across a different opportunity. At first, it didn’t seem as glamorous or exciting as the one I had lost, but something told me to give it a shot. As time passed, it became clear that this new path was better suited to me in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Looking back now, I realised that the initial rejection wasn’t a failure; it was just the way it was supposed to happen to get me to where I was meant to be.
And isn’t that the thing about faith? It’s not about expecting everything to unfold exactly as you planned. It’s about trusting that, even when things seem uncertain or delayed, what’s meant for you will arrive – often in a way you least expect.
This idea is beautifully captured by Rumi, the 13th-century poet’s words: “Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead, let life live through you. And do not worry that your life is turning upside down. How do you know that the side you are used to is better than the one to come?”
As we approach New Year’s Eve, it’s easy to feel the weight of unmet resolutions. Maybe you planned to shed a few pounds, save more money, or finally finish that long-overdue project. And maybe none of that happened. But the end of the year is not the end of the journey. Life doesn’t adhere to the man-made boundaries of calendars. Just because something didn’t happen in 2024 doesn’t mean it won’t happen in 2025 – or 2031, for that matter.
Think about the seasonal rhythms of nature. A durian seed planted last week doesn’t sprout overnight. It takes time, love, and, most important of all – trust – in the process before it breaks through the soil to reach the sunlight. We are no different. Sometimes, what’s meant for us is still in its season of growth, hidden from sight but steadily making its way towards us.
So, as you reflect on this past year, I encourage you to release the burden of unmet expectations. Let it go, and replace that frustration with faith. What if the things you didn’t achieve in 2024 simply weren’t ready to bloom yet? What if the delays were blessings in disguise, protecting you from paths you weren’t meant to take?
Take a moment to think about one goal or dream you feel disappointed about. Instead of labelling it a failure, try reframing it: “Maybe it wasn’t the right time. Maybe it’s still on its way to me.” And then, shift your focus to what you did achieve this year, no matter how small it might seem.
As the final days of 2024 tick by, let’s embrace that what’s meant for us will find us. Perhaps not in our time, but always, always in its time.
So go ahead and take one small step of faith today. Whether it’s revisiting a forgotten goal, starting something new, or simply letting go of what didn’t happen – trust the process and move forward.
One step at a time.
Ir. Dr Nahrizul Adib Kadri is an associate professor of biomedical engineering and the Principal of Ibnu Sina Residential College, Universiti Malaya.
The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the writer’s and do not necessarily represent that of Twentytwo13.
