I attended a primary school that had recently been established. We were the second class to enroll, so we received special treatment. Our class had twenty-three boys and three girls, well a foundation for competition to date. Two boys and girls joined us in between, and we graduated that way.

We were so close that we nearly knew where everyone was staying. This was back when there was no social media or Google Maps. We had to do it the old school way of visiting each other or moving around knowing each other’s places for no reason. We had few girls; the competition was tight, so knowing where they stayed gave us some advantage.

I remember the last day of the national exam; we felt excited and happy to finish school. For many, it felt like a happy ending. We lived with people who started as strangers. Over time, they grew close like brothers and sisters. Some even became boyfriends and girlfriends.

I remember when twelve of us boys went to a photoshoot after our exam. I envy kids today; they can have those pictures anytime, anywhere. We walked over ten kilometres from school to find a cameraman. He said it was a happy ending to our journey. Looking at that picture, it seemed like a happy ending, but a month later it didn’t seem so.

We were all separated, no way to communicate as we did not have phones or WhatsApp groups. Some had well-off parents who helped them attend better private secondary schools. Some of us were waiting for the results to see which government schools we were allocated.

Fast forward twenty years later, I only talk to two out of the entire twenty-seven students. Some of them are dead, a few are mentally ill. Some are marrying and having kids, while others are remaining single and struggling. Some are jobless, some are entrepreneurs and some are nowhere to be found. I don’t see that as a happy ending.

Pugu Secondary School was opposite my primary school. It was a boys’ boarding school, so life felt different. Also, with so many of us, it was tough to know everyone. In our time, we had classes broken from A to E, with each class having more than 60 people.

At this school, we faced more struggles than joy compared to primary school. So, graduating felt like a real happy ending as we left those hardships behind. Our school often faced a shortage of clean water. The toilets were dirty. The dormitories were overcrowded. The food was often poorly cooked. Plus, the good teachers were rarely in the class to teach us.

When we graduated from secondary school, the feeling was like a happy ending. Looking now more than eighteen years later, it doesn’t seem so. I only talk to two students from classes A to E. I’ve heard some have died, some face mental health issues, some struggle with addiction, and others are in jail. A few are successful, but most are hard to find. Doesn’t look like a happy ending.

At the University, things were the same. When I was taking my bachelor’s degree, thousands of students enrolled. Most of us graduated and felt like a happy ending, but some did not. Most did not get the job; many had jobs they didn’t like or were not prepared for. Few of us had the best jobs, like PwC. Overall, it didn’t seem like a happy ending to everyone.

When we joined PwC straight from the university, there were fifteen of us. The firm deemed us all smart and full of potential, and it provided us with almost everything to succeed. We were tight and close. Twelve years later, few remain at the firm. Many people have changed jobs. Some have left corporate life completely. Sadly, one colleague has passed away. It does not look like a happy ending.

Looking at my journey, with every story that I have been in and it ended, I cannot say that it was a happy ending. Every ending brings new issues, as many people have their own connected stories. So, calling it happy is misleading. But a happy journey is something I can prove all the time.

Early mornings, late evenings, and laughs with friends in primary school made for a joyful journey. Dealing with the sweet sisters from St Joseph was quite an experience. Also, getting all the jokes from old Sir Ponera, who was often drunk, added to the fun. So my time at St Joseph primary was amazing; ignore the ending.

Playing football, running on weekends, and going to discos with the Jangwani girls in secondary school made for a fun journey. Also, being a health minister at Pugu secondary added to those good times. The ups and downs of going to mchikichini tuition were quite an adventure since we had no teachers. My time at Pugu secondary was happy; ignore the ending.

My time at the University was splendid. The crazy times dealing with beautiful, crazy and fascinating women. The inter-college football tournaments. The joy of starting my first company. The dates and kisses of girls in their dormitories were a happy journey. Ignore the ending. 

Training at PwC with the new recruits was fun. It was exciting to compete and finish the work training together. The requesting for advances and per diem. The people and drama experienced at clients’ premises. The late nights, overtime and crazy deadlines during the busy season. Not forgetting the drama and office politics. That was a happy journey. Ignore the ending. 

One thing I have learnt about life is that the journey is what matters. We collect values, experiences, memories, and joy as we journey, not at the finish line. The graduations, the certificates, and the promotions are not the happy moments. The journey to graduation, certificates, promotions, and profits brings happy moments.

Whatever you are doing now, don’t focus so much on the ending that you forget to enjoy the journey. 

While studying, remember to enjoy moments with your colleagues. Don’t get too caught up in the certificate. 

If you’re working, don’t focus too much on the next promotion or deadline. Instead, enjoy and experience what’s happening right now.

If you are traveling, don’t fixate so much on when you are going to arrive that you forget to smell the roses on the way. To enjoy the view and company of your fellow travelers.

If you’re in a relationship, don’t get too caught up in the wedding or next big events, like a baby or baptism. Focus on the little moments each day that make your relationship special.

Embrace the idea that not all promised happy endings are truly happy. This way, you’ll feel less disappointed.

No one is going to get out of this life alive. And that is not the happy ending. But what you do from the time you have awareness to your death, you can choose how to make that experience. 

There is a happy journey. There is such a thing as a happy ending.

#iThinkSo

May you be happy.

May you be healthy.

May you be free from suffering.

May you find peace and joy.

If you have learned something, subscribe on the homepage to get these articles in your email. You can share them with one person whom you care about.

Rogers Katuma

Chieftain and Financial Artist

Mphami Estate