The Narratives – Mohamed Miah

When asked what I’d change about myself, my answer is simple: nothing.

Now, if you’d asked me the same question years ago, I probably would’ve had a long list. As a younger version of myself, I might’ve wished for more patience, less stubbornness, or even the ability to navigate situations with more diplomacy. But the truth is, all those rough edges, mistakes, and shortcomings were part of a journey—my journey of learning, growing, and evolving.

Why would I want to undo any of that?

You see, every setback, argument, and bad decision taught me something invaluable. Every time I stumbled, I got up with a little more understanding and clarity about who I am and what I stand for. Changing even the smallest part of that would risk undoing the lessons I’ve learned along the way. It’s like taking apart a recipe that works perfectly, just because the process of making it was a bit messy. The final dish—my life lessons —is something I’m grateful for.

That’s not to say there aren’t moments of self-reflection where I think, “I could work on that.” For example, I know I can sound angry when I’m just being direct. It’s never my intention to come across that way, but tone and vocabulary can betray what’s in my heart. And yes, patience isn’t always my strongest suit. Who couldn’t use a bit more of that?

Diplomacy, too, has never been my greatest strength. I value honesty and directness, but in some situations, a softer touch might have saved a headache or two. Yet even that is a double-edged sword. Diplomacy often comes at the cost of bottling things up, and I’ve learned that bottling emotions only leads to pressure that eventually finds a way to explode. No one benefits from that in the long run—not me, not my loved ones.

So, when I weigh all these “maybes,” I always come back to this: Alhamdulilah, I am who I am because of where I’ve been. There’s peace in accepting the person I’ve become after the twists and turns of life’s journey. Sure, there are moments when I strive to do better, but striving is different from regret.

If I’ve learned anything, it’s that perfection is an illusion. What matters most is the willingness to keep growing, even when it’s uncomfortable. And honestly, when you can say Alhamdulilah for your journey—the good, the bad, and the lessons in between—why would you change anything?

So, no, I wouldn’t change a thing. And if you’re reading this, maybe take a moment to reflect on your own journey. What would you change? Or better yet, what wouldn’t you?