AS 2025 draws to a close, it invites us to pause, not in haste, but in reflection.
A great deal has happened in the past 12 months.
There were moments of triumph that lifted our spirits and moments of disappointment that tested our resolve.
There were days of laughter and celebration, tears, uncertainty, and quiet prayer marked nights.
Some of our plans came to fruition, while others slipped through our fingers despite our best efforts.
Yet through it all, one undeniable truth remains: we are still here. And that alone is reason enough for thanksgiving.
In a world that often measures success by completed targets and visible achievements, it is easy to focus on what did not work.
We count missed opportunities, unfulfilled resolutions and dreams postponed because of circumstances beyond our control.
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But thanksgiving bids us to shift our perspective. It reminds us that life is not only about what we accomplish, but also about what we survive.
The fact that we are alive, breathing and able to reflect is itself a profound gift that should never be taken for granted.
This year, like many before it, came with its share of unpredictability. Some lost loved ones, livelihoods, health or stability. Others battled silent struggles that never made headlines or social media posts. There were moments when the road ahead seemed uncertain and the weight of expectation heavy.
Yet even in those moments, life found a way to move forward.
Strength emerged where weakness once lived and resilience was born out of necessity.
For that quiet courage, we must give thanks.
Thanksgiving is not about denying pain or pretending that everything went according to plan.
Rather, it is about acknowledging the full spectrum of our experiences and choosing gratitude anyway.
It is about recognising lessons hidden in failure and growth concealed in hardship.
The goals we did not achieve taught us patience.
The doors that closed redirected us to paths we may never have considered.
In many ways, what we lost made space for what truly mattered.
As individuals, families, organisations and communities, we also have much to appreciate collectively.
We showed up for one another in times of need. We adapted, improvised and kept going even when motivation waned. Small victories are often overlooked but deserve recognition.
Waking up each morning, sharing a meal, finding work, completing a task or simply holding on through difficult times are all achievements worthy of gratitude.
Thanksgiving also calls us to humility. It reminds us that much of what sustained us this year was beyond our own doing.
Support came from unexpected places. Opportunities arose through the kindness of others.
Protection, health and provision were not guaranteed, yet they were granted.
Whether one views this through faith, human solidarity or sheer grace, there is comfort in acknowledging that we did not walk alone.
As we prepare to turn the page into a new year, thanksgiving grounds us. It helps us to release bitterness, forgive ourselves for unmet expectations and enter the future with hope rather than regret.
Gratitude does not erase ambition; it refines it. It allows us to dream again, but with deeper wisdom and appreciation for the journey.
Indeed, the year had its highs and lows, its tears and its joy. But above all, it gave us life. And for that, it is time for thanksgiving.
- Cliff Chiduku is the director of marketing, information and public relations at Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences in Mutare. He writes in his personal capacity. Feedback: Call/App +263775716517.
