Days are long, but the years are short; Omutonzi Yasalawo

That phrase, “The days are long, but the years are short,” often resonates with people reflecting on the passage of time. It captures the feeling that while individual days can seem to drag on, looking back, the years seem to have flown by. Time Perhaps doesn’t heal,it just keeps one going. Adele in the song, Hello has a line, “They say time’s supposed to heal but ain’t done much healing. Yesterday marked the seventh year in paralysis and full body lockdown. When the illness came, I was in denial, I didn’t know what lay ahead.

Vulnerability
can be a double-edged sword,
and here I am sitting
at this balance point,
realizing that sharing
too quickly can be damaging,
yet not sharing when time has passed
means certain types of stories
get buried . Sharing my journey with the world takes strength but you gotta tell the story anyways lest the story gets buried.

Life has no particular order. It doesn’t have a particular sequence in which things shouldhappen. Sometimes the best way to live is to embrace the beauty in the chaos and live on. 2016 was the year I sort of closed down everything I was doing in Uganda well aware that the coming year,2017 I would enroll for a Masters in Law at the University of Pretoria. I resigned from the position of National Administration JESSUP Moots well aware that I would not be around for the national rounds in February 2017. Life being Life, February was the month that a Fundraiser for my rehabilitation was started by friends spearheaded by Bright Anthony and Kayondo Silver.

It then dawned on me that we were meant for a really long journey to recovery. A conversation in a movie speaks to me

Conversation in A Knight’s tale

William: Oi sir, what are you doing?
Chaucer: Uh… trudging. You know, trudging? [pause] To trudge: the slow, weary, depressing yet determined walk of a man who has nothing left in life except the impulse to simply soldier on.
William: Uhhh… were you robbed?
Chaucer: [laughs] Funny really, yes, but at the same time a huge resounding no. It’s more of an… involuntary vow of poverty… really

I thus accepted the stroke and worked towards recovery. There wasn’t a pursuit for happiness because there’s no happiness in paralysis. I started on a new journey of Pursuit for meaning in the face of an illness.

In life, there are two kinds of people those that seek happiness and those that seek meaning.
People who pursue happiness never find that which they seek. The other problem with pursuing happiness is that life is always brutal and if you are into happiness you will be disappointed. Finding meaning means redefining life and the reason to live, one can be happy after seeking meaning whereas one can’t find meaning in happiness. Seeking meaning is outliving oneself and finding clarity in life.Happiness never lasts. Meaning lives on from one generation to the next. Meaning transcends happiness. Happiness cannot give meaning but Meaning can give happiness. Find that which is meaningful and commit your life to it.

The problem with life is not that it is short, but death is long. We are going to be dead longer than we are alive. We don’t know when death ends (if it is death anyway. Knowing that we are gonna be dead for too long, let’s live! Fight for your space in the world. Say the things you want to say, even if that means suffering consequences for those things. Do the things you want to do and embrace the side effects of each. Even with the debilitating stroke and the paralysis, I can smile at the storm and say, its okay, we are all broken but even broken crayons do paint.

As I turn a year older,I find myself reflecting on a journey marked by resilience, hope, and unwavering strength. Eight years ago, my life took an unexpected turn. It has been a challenging path, but one that has taught me invaluable lessons about perseverance and the power of the human spirit.

Each day has been a testament to my determination to overcome obstacles and find joy in the small victories. I have learned to appreciate the moments of progress, no matter how small, and to celebrate the courage it takes to face each new day.

This birthday, I am filled with gratitude for the support of my loved ones, who have been my pillars of strength. Their unwavering belief in me has been a source of inspiration and motivation. I am also grateful for the healthcare professionals who have guided me on this journey, helping me regain my independence and confidence.

As I look ahead, I am filled with hope and optimism. I know that the road may still be long, but I am ready to embrace the future with an open heart and a resilient spirit. This year, I choose to focus on the possibilities that lie ahead, to cherish the moments of joy, and to continue striving for progress

As I look ahead, I a

Reading “When Breath Becomes Air” by Paul Kalanithi can offer profound insights, especially for a stroke survivor like me. One of the most impactful life lessons from the book is the importance of finding meaning and purpose, even in the face of life-altering challenges.For a stroke survivor, this lesson can be particularly resonant, emphasizing the importance of cherishing every day and finding purpose in new ways, despite the difficulties faced.

Kalanithi’s story also highlights the power of resilience and the human spirit. His determination to continue his work, write his memoir, and embrace fatherhood despite his diagnosis can inspires me to persevere and find strength in my own journey.

I’m a prisoner of hope, bound by my faith
Chained to the Lord’s love, locked up in grace
I’m free to leave but I’ll never go
I’m wonderfully, willingly
Freely a prisoner of hope, as I carry on, the Lord has been with me blessed me with friends to walk with in this journey, I have not walked alone.