The Narratives – Mohamed Miah

We’ve all been asked that classic ‘what would you do if you were guaranteed not to fail?’ question at some point. It’s funny really, because the answers people come up with can be quite wild. Some would pick the winning lottery numbers, others would aim for superpowers—flying seems to be a popular one! But, for me, if failure wasn’t even a possibility, I’d probably think bigger, even abstract.

I think my first choice would be to build a Time Machine. Imagine that—travelling back in time, not just to witness monumental historical moments but to revisit those personal moments in my own life I didn’t fully appreciate back then. I’d love to see my younger self, maybe have a chat with the 18-year-old version of me—tell him what to look out for, what to cherish, and maybe even steer him away from some unnecessary mistakes! There’s something about reliving memories, but with the wisdom I have now, that feels like a unique opportunity. To go back to family gatherings, see the smiles of those we’ve lost or simply experience the warmth of those moments again. I’d probably stop by my old football matches too, back when I still had the energy of youth!

Or, and hear me out on this, a teleportation machine. Now, if I can’t fail, I’m definitely building one of those! Being able to go anywhere in the world at the snap of my fingers? That would be incredible. Imagine waking up in Southampton, grabbing a coffee in Rome, popping over to Bangladesh for lunch with family, and still making it home in time for dinner with my own kids. The possibilities would be endless, especially for someone who loves food as much as I do! I’d be exploring every corner of the world, learning from new cultures, and tasting the best cuisines without the hassle of airport queues or jetlag.

But as fun as those ideas are, the truth is, I’m genuinely content with life, Alhamdulilah. Yes, there have been failures, and yes, I’ve made mistakes—but I own them. I wouldn’t go back and erase them even if I could. In fact, I’m proud of the lessons those missteps have taught me. Each failure, each hurdle has been a stepping stone to where I am today. I’ve learned, grown, and sought forgiveness along the way, and honestly, that’s what makes life meaningful. I’ve come to understand more about myself, my family, and the world because of those moments.

If I didn’t fail, would I even grow? The truth is, the struggles, the times when things didn’t go my way, are what pushed me to improve, to be better. Failure forces reflection, and reflection brings understanding. Without those bumps in the road, we’d all just be cruising along, never really appreciating the journey.

So while I’d definitely enjoy a Time Machine or teleportation machine, if I had to choose between never failing and keeping life as it is, with all its ups and downs—well, I think I’d stick to what I have. Because even in my failures, I’ve found purpose. I’ve learned the value of patience, of perseverance, and most importantly, the value of faith. And that, to me, is far more valuable than any ‘guarantee’ of success.