Hello Friends, 

How’s it going and how are you doing? After a day of flying umbrellas yesterday, sunshine hugged NY today like a long lost friend. This much awaited reunion was celebrated by homebodies taking a walk, car drivers rolling down their windows, and children huddling around the ice cream truck. I hope sunshine decides to stay. Now that I’ve updated you on the recent weather patterns, let me tell you a story about my internal weather patterns. 

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After breaking my fast and praying, I went to bed with the intention of deep rest. A voice emerged from the depths of my being, “Hey…psst…remember how you said you’d enter your work in contests this year? Well, the first quarter of the year is gone and guess what? You still haven’t entered.” After some tossing and turning, I eventually convinced the voice that we’ll take care of this in the morning.

Day broke and I checked my email. Two writing contests were waiting for me. Wishes and dreams in Ramadan come true so fast. Taking it as a divine sign, I studied the requirements of each contest. One was due soon and required a fiction short story on a particular theme: happily ever after. With the excitement of a buzzing bee, I set out to write the best happily ever after story that would be the bee’s knees. 

There was only one problem: I’ve never written a fiction short story in my adult life. Stumped for ideas or where to even begin, I started doubting myself and it led me to freeze. It was the kind of freeze state where lots of action was happening in the brain yet nothing transpired through the hands on the page. 

As luck would have it, a Princess lifted me from my well of doubts. My daughter Rania, whose name means Princess, randomly asked me if she can be more than one thing when she grows up. Like a great Mother, I said, “Yes, you can!” Rania listed all that she wanted to be, “Author, singer, gymnast, and chef.” 

Granted Rania is only six, but she’s never set foot in the kitchen and has shown zero interest in making food. Maybe I can be like Rania and channel my inner child to take the writing of the short story as a form of play. 

High on proteins and carbs after breaking my fast, I played on my laptop’s keyboard and click-clacked away like a fool. Whenever I got stuck, I reminded myself to just play. It was done and I retired myself to bed thinking happy thoughts. 

Upon waking, I realized my story was a monstrosity. Why did I write this story and why am I even writing? The self-doubt came back and I allowed myself to steep in it. What wisdom did this doubt have for me? 

Doubt said, “Listen, you allowed your child to play. Now bring in your adult.” The adult read the story and had some feedback, “It’s not great. Doubt is right. This is the first time you wrote a short story. Go get some feedback from trusted friends. Incorporate it. Learn. Read some short stories. Edit. Keep practicing.”  

With the foolishness of a child and the sensibility of an adult, I was able to balance on the beginner’s balance beam of short stories. Unable to do any fancy tricks just yet, I’ll follow through with my commitment to entering my story in the contest. 

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I think that qualifies for a realistic happily ever after story! And if you're thinking how did I get so smart discerning between my adult and child voice...let me tell you I've had lots of help and guidance. Check out the wonderful array of courses offered at Lucid Living, where one moves "deeper into the realms of Responsibility, Emotional Authenticity, Adult Authority, and Loving".

Guess who overcame their doubts and published their marvelous books in this great grand world? I just bought my copies this week.

Kathy Karn's The Wisdom of Elephants is a photo book by an Award-winning Photographer. Kathy's compelling stories coupled with her superb photographs will transport you to Kenya and help you traverse through the rough terrain of grief and loss.

Ajike Kendrick Asegun's Dwelling Place is a collection of soulful poetry that invites you to engage in your own inner world and creative self-expression.

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If you liked this week's email, I'd love it if you could share it with a friend. Thank you for your continued love and support.

With love and gratitude, 

Sana Fayyaz

 P.S: I don't get a cut from promoting the above resources and books. I get something greater: JOY!

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