The past few months have been tough.

Several people close to me have been diagnosed with life-altering illnesses. It is hard to watch people you care about face something that changes their lives. You want to help, yet often you cannot fix anything. You can only be there and walk alongside them.

Yesterday, I went to a school tennis tournament to see my sister-in-law. Her son was playing, and I had not seen her for a while, so I joined her for the afternoon. Around us, children were playing their hearts out. There could only be one winner, and everyone was trying. Parents sat beside the courts. I am sure they had many other things to do and their own loads to carry, yet they were there. Brothers and sisters were also watching and supporting.

While we were talking, my sister-in-law shared something about her youngest son. It was a light moment she often thinks about when she watches him play. He had been behind in a match. When it was time to change sides, he walked past his opponent and said:

“I haven’t played my best shots yet today.”

He did not say it maliciously or to boast. It was simply matter-of-fact. She was there to hear it. She noticed it, remembered it and shared it with me. When she told me, I felt warm, fuzzy and somehow lighter.

What an attitude.

I do not know whether he was saying it to himself or to his opponent. He simply recognised that the match was not over and that he still had more in him.

His words stayed with me.

This year has thrown many people a few curveballs. Some are carrying things we know about. Others are carrying things quietly. And I wondered: Have I played my best shot yet?

2026 is not over.

Maybe we need to whisper that to ourselves. Maybe we need to say it out loud. Maybe we need to hear the echo, so that it can encourage us and perhaps someone else too. In life, as in tennis, we can only play our own shots. We cannot always control what comes across the net or how the ball bounces. We can only decide how we meet it. No one can walk your path or carry your burden for you. Still, you are not alone. Sometimes we are the ones playing. Sometimes we are beside the court, watching, encouraging and simply being there. Even while carrying our own loads.

Life is not only about winning or losing. There are moments of overcoming, learning, celebrating and mourning. Moments when we play well, moments when we struggle and moments when we simply need to stay in the game. This is not about pretending everything is fine. Some things are incredibly hard. Maybe hope is simply the quiet reminder that the match is not over. There may still be courage we have not called upon, kindness we have not offered and moments we have not fully appreciated. Maybe we have not played our best shots yet.

As we move through the remaining months of 2026, may we be gentle with ourselves and one another. Many people are playing their hearts out and carrying more than we can see.

The year is not over yet. Let’s give it our best shot.

Live it love it Do it

Chrizelda