This Year’s Motto: “I am grateful, and thank you!”

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Last year has been hard, bad, and terrifying. But in the middle of chaos, I found hands stretched all around the world to help me out. Yes, they were virtual hands at first. Then I saw faces, and finally, I made friends. With them came inspiration and a new mindset filled with gratefulness and thanks.

New Meetings, New Beginnings

I met exceptional people through online classes, webinars, and virtual workshops. At first, we were all showing up looking our best, with our make-up veil on-as Egyptian psychiatrist, activist, and author Nawal El Saadawi called it-, (half) dressed up, and hair done.

Fast-forward ten months and discover our new mindset. We saw no problem showing up in our robes, lying on our beds, or sun-tanning in our gardens. There was no judgment, no reproach, just smile, and laughs. We had made it. We became a tribe.

When you find your team, there is no more loneliness, no more void. You find people that think alike-as I did with my fellow writers-and that appreciate you as you are.

Such a blessing.

What’s more important is that you find something to look forward to. Put all those meetings in your calendar and know that whatever is not going the way you want it in your life, you can get it off your chest. Share and unburden yourself.

Feel free, loved, accepted, and understood.

We have a saying back home, “Just understand me; no need to give me anything.” This year brought into my life people that not only understood but also gave. I’ve witnessed so much generosity that my faith in humankind is restored. When the world came to its worst, people showed their best.

And for that, I say, “I am grateful, and thank you!”

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Special Shout-Out

My special shout-out is to my new friends and family: my fellow DIY MFA Word Nerds, Story a Day Superstars, and The Write Practice Cartel.

“To you, I am grateful, and thank you!”

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And you, what is your motto? Is it still the same or did you come up with a new one? Let me know in your comments or in an email. I would love to hear from you.

As always, read and succeed,

Soleah