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49 days remaining until the end of 2026.

A SACRED DAY – A BEAUTIFUL THURSDAY – A THURSDAY OF FORGIVENESS – A THURSDAY OF ANSWERS

THURSDAY: A DAY FOR REFLECTION, PRAYER, FORGIVENESS AND FAITH

Life is a journey that does not always follow a straight path. Some days bring happiness and the answers we have been hoping for, while other days bring challenges, disappointment, delays and uncertainty about what the future holds.

However, the greatest measure of life is not living without problems, but having the ability to overcome them without losing hope, humanity and direction.

Thursday is an opportunity to pause and reflect on the journey we are taking. It is a day for self-examination, reviewing our achievements, acknowledging our mistakes and making new decisions that will help us move forward.

1. THINK BEFORE MAKING A DECISION

Many problems are not solved by rushing, but by thinking carefully. A thoughtful person does not only look at the problem; they also examine its causes, consequences and possible solutions.

Do not allow anger to make decisions for you, or temporary emotions to destroy your future.

Life does not require us to rush through everything. It requires us to know when to pause, reflect, analyse and make wise decisions. Not every available path leads to something good. Not every statement deserves a response, and not every opportunity should be accepted immediately.

Before speaking, consider the consequences of your words. Before acting, consider where your actions might lead you. Before judging someone, ask yourself whether you truly understand the journey they have travelled. Before making a promise, assess your ability to fulfil it. And before making a decision, consider whether it will build or destroy.

Wisdom is not about knowing how to say many things; it is about knowing when to speak, what to say and when to remain silent.

A person may make a decision in one minute but spend many years dealing with its consequences. That is why thinking before acting is a way of protecting your future.

Do not allow anger to control you, because anger can take away what wisdom has worked hard to protect. Do not allow jealousy to make decisions for you, because comparing your journey with that of others may lead you down the wrong path. Do not allow temporary happiness to make you forget your values.

Sometimes silence is an act of courage, patience is an expression of wisdom, perseverance is a path to victory, and saying NO is the decision that protects your future.

Ask yourself:

Does this decision build or destroy?

Does it respect other people?

Will it bring me peace in the long run?

Am I ready to accept its consequences?

Remember:

• A good decision begins with clear thinking.
• Thoughtless words can destroy what took years to build.
• Moving quickly does not always mean succeeding, and moving slowly does not mean failing.
• A thoughtful person is not controlled by temporary emotions.
• Wisdom is demonstrated by the ability to choose what is right and when to do it.

In life, do not rush into decisions simply to please people, prove your abilities or get back at someone. Make decisions because you understand their value, your responsibilities and their possible consequences for others.

“Think before making a decision, because today’s decision may become tomorrow’s history; some history builds, some teaches, while some leaves us with regrets.”

— Dr. Havugimana Alexis

2. PRAY AND HAVE FAITH

Prayer is an opportunity to draw closer to God, thank Him for the gift of life, share our burdens with Him and ask for the wisdom to face challenges beyond our human ability.

Sometimes answers do not come when we expect them, but delayed answers should not cause us to lose faith. Continue doing what is right, keep praying and remain hopeful.

Throughout life’s journey, there are moments when words fail, strength diminishes, answers are delayed and the paths we expected to lead us to our goals become uncertain.

Sometimes you pray without receiving an immediate answer. You wait without knowing when what you desire will happen. But through all these moments, do not allow delayed answers to take away your hope.

Pray, because there are things beyond human ability. Have faith, because tomorrow has not yet arrived and new opportunities may emerge when you least expect them.

Keep working, because faith should not replace action; rather, it should give action direction and strength.

Some prayers are answered in the ways we expect, while others are answered in ways we never imagined. Some doors open, while others close to make room for a different path.

Some people enter our lives to teach us important lessons, while others leave us with valuable experiences. Do not assume that every change represents a loss; sometimes what we consider a loss becomes the beginning of something good that we did not yet understand.

Do not stop praying because you have not received an answer. Do not stop working because you have not reached your goal. Do not stop believing because the journey is difficult.

When life presents difficult questions, ask God for wisdom to understand them. When your strength is fading, ask for the strength to continue. When the path becomes difficult, ask for guidance. When you achieve success, thank God and remember to help others.

Do not compare your timing with that of other people. Some seeds grow quickly, while others take longer, but everything has its own season.

Pray with humility, work with determination, wait with patience and believe without giving up.

Prayer brings the heart closer to God; faith helps it persevere; and action demonstrates the willingness to achieve meaningful goals.

Do not postpone living while waiting for answers. Continue your journey with faith, love and good deeds.

‘’Pray and have faith. What you cannot achieve today does not mean it will remain impossible tomorrow. Keep moving forward, because hope is the light that helps a person stay on the path even when the destination is not yet visible.’’

— Dr. Havugimana Alexis

3. FORGIVE SO THAT YOU CAN BE FREE

Forgiveness does not mean accepting that what happened to you was right, nor does it mean forgetting the pain you experienced.

It is a decision not to allow yesterday’s wounds to continue controlling today’s life.

Forgive others where possible, but also learn to forgive yourself. Sometimes a person needs to release the burden of past experiences in order to find the strength to continue the journey.

There are burdens people carry in their hearts that cannot be seen with the eyes, yet they prevent them from experiencing peace.

There are painful words they cannot forget, actions that have left emotional wounds, betrayals that have destroyed trust and experiences that have made them afraid to trust again.

Sometimes people spend years thinking about what happened to them, asking why it happened, why others treated them unfairly and what they could have done differently.

But there is one truth we must understand:

You cannot change what happened yesterday, but you can choose how it influences your tomorrow.

Forgiveness does not mean that the person who hurt you was right. It does not mean supporting injustice, forgetting your wounds or allowing someone to continue hurting you.

Forgiveness is the decision not to allow another person’s mistakes to continue controlling your heart, thoughts and peace.

Sometimes forgiveness requires greater courage than revenge. Revenge may bring temporary satisfaction, but forgiveness can help restore the peace you have lost.

Do not allow someone who hurt you to take away your right to be happy, love, believe and continue living.

Forgive, but learn from your experiences. Remain kind, but also be wise. Learn to trust again, but distinguish between people who genuinely wish you well and those who take advantage of your kindness.

Forgiveness does not mean continually placing yourself in the hands of those who hurt you.

Remember also to forgive yourself.

Some people are troubled by mistakes they have made, opportunities they have lost, poor decisions they have taken and time they believe they have wasted.

They continue blaming themselves, forgetting that human beings are capable of learning, growing and changing.

Accept your mistakes, learn from them, apologise where necessary and continue your journey.

Do not allow regret to prevent you from rebuilding your life. Let the past become a lesson, not a prison for your future.

Sometimes forgiveness does not restore a broken relationship, but it can restore your peace. Sometimes walking away from someone is the best way to protect yourself from further harm. At other times, silence and healthy boundaries are necessary to protect your dignity.

Remember:

• A forgiving heart chooses peace instead of living in constant conflict.
• Do not allow yesterday’s wounds to become obstacles to tomorrow’s happiness.
• Forgiveness is not weakness; it is the strength to overcome pain.
• Do not spend your entire life carrying the anger of someone who hurt you. You can choose to heal.
• What happened to you does not define who you are, but how you respond may influence who you become.

Life is too short to spend it consumed by resentment, hatred and wounds you refuse to release.

Learn to forgive others, forgive yourself and never forget your worth.

‘’Forgive so that you can be free. Let go so that you can heal. Learn so that you can grow, and keep moving so that you can live. True peace does not begin by changing everyone else; it begins by changing how you live with what has happened to you.’’

— Dr. Havugimana Alexis

4. TURN PROBLEMS INTO LESSONS, AND LESSONS INTO WISDOM

A problem can become a classroom that teaches us things we never understood before.

Failure can teach us the importance of better preparation. Disappointment can teach us to be more careful about whom we trust. Delays in achieving our dreams can teach us patience and better planning.

Do not focus only on what you have lost. First, consider what you have learned along the way.

A problem that challenges us to think can become the beginning of new wisdom.

The greatest lesson is not simply overcoming a problem, but discovering the wisdom that the experience has taught us.

5. PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE WITHOUT NEGLECTING TODAY

The year 2026 is approaching its final days. There are 49 days remaining before it ends.

This is an excellent opportunity for self-evaluation.

• What have I achieved this year?
• What lessons have I learned from the challenges I have faced?
• Whom have I been able to help?
• What do I need to correct?
• What new goals should I prepare for?

Do not wait for a new year to begin changing your life. Positive change can begin with a decision you make today.

Life is a journey connecting yesterday, today and tomorrow.

What you did yesterday contributed to where you are today, and what you do today is preparing the place you will occupy tomorrow.

That is why a person with vision should not only focus on the destination they wish to reach, but also pay attention to the steps they take every day.

Some people constantly talk about the future, make ambitious plans and dream of great achievements, but forget the responsibilities they have today.

Others become so occupied with today’s problems that they forget to prepare for tomorrow.

True wisdom lies in knowing how to balance both: working today while preparing for the future.

Do not wait until tomorrow to begin doing what you can do today.

Do not wait until you have a lot of money before you start saving. Do not wait until you have enough free time before you start learning. And do not wait until you become successful before you begin helping others.

A small step taken today may become the beginning of a major transformation in your life.

The future is not built through dreams alone. It is built through decisions, actions, behaviour and values demonstrated in everyday life.

A person who wants a better future must pay attention to their knowledge, health, family, relationships, finances and ability to adapt to life’s changes.

Plan ahead, but do not forget to live. Work hard, but do not forget to rest. Pursue development, but do not sacrifice your humanity. Seek wealth, but remember that some things cannot be measured by money: health, peace, love, hope and good relationships with others.

Sometimes people become so occupied with building a better future that they lose the good things they already have today.

They may pursue money and lose time with their families, seek recognition and lose their peace, or compete with others while forgetting their own personal development.

This reminds us that true development should not be measured only by what a person owns, but also by the kind of person they become.

Your future should not be built by destroying your present.

Do not allow your dreams to prevent you from appreciating the good things you have now. Enjoy the journey, learn from your mistakes, appreciate the opportunities you have and continue building yourself.

THINGS TO REMEMBER TODAY:

• What you do today prepares the opportunities of tomorrow.
• Do not waste today while waiting for an uncertain tomorrow.
• Planning is important, but implementation is what brings change.
• Do not build wealth at the expense of your health, family and peace.
• Do not compare your timing with that of others; every journey has its own pace.
• A good decision made today can change the direction of tomorrow.

THE FUTURE BEGINS TODAY

Do not become someone who dreams about tomorrow but takes no action today.

Do not become someone so worried about today that they forget to prepare for tomorrow.

Be a person who knows how to think, plan, work and give thanks.

‘’Prepare for the future, but value today, because tomorrow is the fruit of what you plant today.’’— Dr. Havugimana Alexis

THURSDAY IS A DAY TO RENEW OUR THINKING AND HOPE

Today, choose to have a grateful heart, a thoughtful mind, constructive words, actions that help others and unwavering faith.

Do not allow today’s problems to make you forget tomorrow’s opportunities.

Do not allow the pain of past experiences to prevent you from seeing the possibilities of a better future.

And do not allow what you have not yet received to make you forget what you have already achieved.

Remember:

• Prayer gives us an opportunity to draw closer to God.
• Reflection helps us understand life.
• Forgiveness helps us release emotional burdens.
• Patience helps us continue our journey.
• Wisdom helps us turn problems into solutions.

‘’HAVE A BEAUTIFUL THURSDAY, A THURSDAY OF FORGIVENESS AND A THURSDAY OF GOOD ANSWERS TO EVERYONE!’’

— Dr. Havugimana Alexis