Happy 2018, LMN readers! I knew I wanted my first post to be a reflection of the previous year. Looking back over the past 12 months, it certainly has been an eventful one and I came out stronger, more patient (relatively speaking... I'm still as impatient as a full-bladder in a long queue to the bathroom) and unafraid. Here's what 2017 taught me:
1. Trust His timing.
I know my baby boy came at the right time. I always questioned why we were going through what we went through but I know now... that we should always just be patient. He knows when is the best time to answer our prayers. It will not come any sooner or any later. In the four years we shared pre-Umair, we had amazing holidays, did fun things together and had each other's undivided attention everyday. There were highs and lows... and we went through all that together, just us two. I wouldn't change it for the world and I'll always cherish those four years when we were just Hazim and Nabeela.
2. Time heals all things.
A broken heart. A severed relationship. A torn friendship. A betrayal. As much as we force ourselves to be okay and however painful it was... we just have to ride it out and sooner or later, the wound will heal over time. You won't be the same person--no. But you will be set free from anger and resentment. You will be stronger. And then you will look back and wonder why you thought you would never get out of this rut in the first place.
3. Self-love and self-respect.
Knowing your own value and worth is important. I've had a few instances where people hurt me or tried to bring me down or I felt that I wasn't being respected. I used to just pretend that I was okay with everything but I think after 27 years, it was time for me to learn how to walk away from people who didn't deserve my time, to speak my mind even if my voice shakes, to ignore the unpleasant comments and to surround myself with positive people who make me laugh.
4. Ask Instagram anything.
I love asking questions on IG because people are so helpful! The response to breastfeeding tips and motherhood really helped me a lot! Also, when I wrote Maktub, so many people reached out to me and gave advice and sweet messages that lifted my spirits up. That's not all! After Umair came into our lives, I've spoken to so many adoptive parents and couples who wish to adopt. We share experiences and give each other support... I don't think I would have had those special conversations without this platform.
5. Be kinder than what you feel.
I don't know if it's age but my short temper has been shorter this year. There were a couple of times I reacted instantly and said things I regretted the moment the words left my mouth. Although I meant what I said, I wish I had relayed the same message in a kinder and calmer tone.
All in all, I am very grateful for 2017. I've had wonderful opportunities from being a mom to being a judge at AARRDS 2017 and to being featured (okay... one sentence) on an article on CNN. Alhamdulillah.
Here's to another year of learning and reinventing myself to become the person I was meant to be! So... what did 2017 teach you?
I don't know if it's age but my short temper has been shorter this year. There were a couple of times I reacted instantly and said things I regretted the moment the words left my mouth. Although I meant what I said, I wish I had relayed the same message in a kinder and calmer tone.
All in all, I am very grateful for 2017. I've had wonderful opportunities from being a mom to being a judge at AARRDS 2017 and to being featured (okay... one sentence) on an article on CNN. Alhamdulillah.
Here's to another year of learning and reinventing myself to become the person I was meant to be! So... what did 2017 teach you?
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