It will and does get better

“Kuzolunga” (IT WILL be ALRIGHT). It’s a saying I often share with those close to me, and even with myself. I find myself repeating it, even in moments when things may not appear to be alright. Deep down, however, I hold onto the belief that it will indeed be alright. In a way, it serves as a prayer, reaching beyond the simplicity of the words ‘it will be alright.’

As you read this, I’m aware that you might be grappling with various challenges – feelings of defeat, anxiety, unease, brokenness, or even despair, with no visible light at the end of the tunnel. I am here to reassure you “kuzolunga”. You may question how I can make such a statement without knowing your specific situation or experiencing your life. The answer lies in my own life journey, filled with moments akin to what you may be going through. So, what gives me the audacity to claim that it will be okay? Here’s what does.

History

If you are old enough to read, this isn’t the first time you have been in a situation that has evoked these emotions; you have experienced one or two too many throughout life. Did things not improve with that situation? Yes, I know it wasn’t easy, but it did get better for you and me, so it will be okay. Trust history to repeat itself and make it right; it may take time, but kuzolunga.

shift of focus

When I overtrain my arms at the gym, there are occasions when I wake up in the middle of the night feeling sore. The intensity of the pain consumed me initially, and the more I fixated on it, the more unbearable it seemed.

So, what did I do? I took a muscle relaxant and watched something to distract myself from the pain, and it worked. This experience taught me that what we focus on tends to magnify. It’s crucial to find ways to shift your focus away from what is going wrong or doesn’t feel right so it doesn’t consume you.

find the silver lining

After abruptly leaving my previous job a couple of years ago without a clear plan for my next appointment, I became anxious about what lay ahead. For several weeks, I experienced intense nervousness, even feeling like I was having panic attacks. However, upon sitting down and actively seeking the silver lining in my circumstances, I found it. The moment I identified those small silver linings, they allowed me to navigate each day with greater ease, and I experienced happiness during that phase of my life.

This occurred after I carefully examined what aspects I could control and what I couldn’t. Trust me, it’s not easy to find a silver lining in situations that make you feel defeated, anxious, uneasy, broken, or in despair. Discovering the silver lining is crucial for your mental and overall health.

Have faith

In Hebrews 11:1, faith is described as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. It can be exceptionally challenging to maintain faith when facing difficulties, but during those times, you need faith more than ever. Whatever practice strengthens your faith, be it music, reading the Bible, or listening to faith teachings, invest in it when you feel too weak to do so. It will provide you with strength, even if it’s just enough to get through each day.

Anything worth achieving requires faith, even when the odds are against you. Speaking of overcoming odds, no one understands this better than our cover stars – cricketers Kagiso Rabada, David Miller and

Wayne Parnell, footballer Kylian Mbappé, and rugby star Hacjivah Dayimani. Despite their success, they have encountered and will continue facing hurdles on their journeys to be the best. Read their stories on pages 36, 76 and 94.

visualise the goal

Right where you are now, you may not see the beauty that lies ahead. If you can’t, try this: envision what it would look like if things turned out as you wish. I assure you, this will provide you with the strength to face another day. As you practise this, coupled with faith, a day becomes a week, a week a month, a month a year, and before you know it, you have overcome challenges, and kwavela kwalunga yonk’into (everything turns out okay).

Let’s keep pushing, brothers. Until next time!