My summer has been one of relief. Knowing that we have opened up the doors again for women in government positions makes me jump for joy. This is a sacred time and we are ready. I’m proud to be a Lebanese elder who has borne many trials and opportunities as a woman. Going into this beautiful fall season I’m ready to receive and reflect on how this election will be better than any other in recent history.
First of all, thanks for letting us know about the SoA grant! I'm going to apply for my 3rd novel. & Thank you for your musings on publishing & process too. I totally agree that we have to enjoy every minute of creating because that truly is the only thing we can control. Having just had my first novel announced & with an announcement about novel number 2 on the way, it's a funny feeling, knowing both my babies will soon be out in the world. A mixture of excitement & fear that's hard to put into words. I have no idea how either one of them will be recieved but I know that they came from a place of love & truth & that has to count for something. xx
Oh yay!! Well all said about writing, still congratulations about your upcoming novels! I do hope you find joy in their release and the ways in which they will no doubt connect with readers 🥳🥳🥳 it is a funny feeling indeed… I often think that once a book is out, it’s no longer mine. I’m sure I stole that wisdom from someone else tbh, but it’s helped me all the same 🥰 and yes, definitely apply for the grant, and let me know how you go! It takes a few months but they’re fab.
Love love love this post and resonate with it so much! Congrats on that grant! I’ve applied for something similar here in the US and hoping I’ll be accepted, but even if not, Insha’Allah I will continue to write. I’ve lived too long denying my desire to write and sharing my stories with others. The result as you said is from Allah swt, but if you can find the joy in the process, then it’ll be worth it no matter the outcome
Winter has been a time of receiving and healing for me. I had major surgery and a 6 week recovery, and I'm usually the one who cares for others, so accepting care is not something I'm used to. So it's been a journey for me, but not bad. The surgery went really well and I recovered early, but am still taking it easy for the remaining week I have left.
Your reflections were wonderful to read as always, Yassmin—thanks for your wisdom! My summer has been full of joy and exploration and fun, which was so welcome after a very dark winter which felt more like growth or processing, maybe growing pains, but opened up into this season, which felt like the fruits of growth, the ease and relaxation that comes after doing hard work. I strongly agree with your perspective on seasons—and I talk about seasons in therapy SO often for someone who doesn't have a seasonal affective disorder diagnosis. Demarcating eras and times through seasons or time containers has been really helpful on a trans/queer level, as well, when I am freaking out about how my self and desires are changing, because understanding how change works through the seasons—units that are so evidently natural, cyclical, and non-linear—can be really calming and clarifying. My favorite concept of time is a spiral, like a mandala that you are walking so your feet return to points on the path where you have walked before but you ARE also walking forward, and outward. Age brings expansion and broader scope in a similar way to a mandala, I think. I digress! I started writing this to share a recommendation on this idea, an episode of On Being about "Wintering" that talks about seasons and marking time. It touches on this exact thing and how "ritual-poor" we are in our society, especially in summer, a real loss when it comes to experiencing the passage of time, and specifically the relationship to ritual in British society. Audio and transcript here: https://onbeing.org/programs/katherine-may-how-wintering-replenishes/ Sending you love in all your endeavors and processes of growth always <3
My summer has been one of relief. Knowing that we have opened up the doors again for women in government positions makes me jump for joy. This is a sacred time and we are ready. I’m proud to be a Lebanese elder who has borne many trials and opportunities as a woman. Going into this beautiful fall season I’m ready to receive and reflect on how this election will be better than any other in recent history.
Ameeen, ameen! May all the doors be opened and full of blessings, inshallah <3
First of all, thanks for letting us know about the SoA grant! I'm going to apply for my 3rd novel. & Thank you for your musings on publishing & process too. I totally agree that we have to enjoy every minute of creating because that truly is the only thing we can control. Having just had my first novel announced & with an announcement about novel number 2 on the way, it's a funny feeling, knowing both my babies will soon be out in the world. A mixture of excitement & fear that's hard to put into words. I have no idea how either one of them will be recieved but I know that they came from a place of love & truth & that has to count for something. xx
Oh yay!! Well all said about writing, still congratulations about your upcoming novels! I do hope you find joy in their release and the ways in which they will no doubt connect with readers 🥳🥳🥳 it is a funny feeling indeed… I often think that once a book is out, it’s no longer mine. I’m sure I stole that wisdom from someone else tbh, but it’s helped me all the same 🥰 and yes, definitely apply for the grant, and let me know how you go! It takes a few months but they’re fab.
Love love love this post and resonate with it so much! Congrats on that grant! I’ve applied for something similar here in the US and hoping I’ll be accepted, but even if not, Insha’Allah I will continue to write. I’ve lived too long denying my desire to write and sharing my stories with others. The result as you said is from Allah swt, but if you can find the joy in the process, then it’ll be worth it no matter the outcome
Winter has been a time of receiving and healing for me. I had major surgery and a 6 week recovery, and I'm usually the one who cares for others, so accepting care is not something I'm used to. So it's been a journey for me, but not bad. The surgery went really well and I recovered early, but am still taking it easy for the remaining week I have left.
Your reflections were wonderful to read as always, Yassmin—thanks for your wisdom! My summer has been full of joy and exploration and fun, which was so welcome after a very dark winter which felt more like growth or processing, maybe growing pains, but opened up into this season, which felt like the fruits of growth, the ease and relaxation that comes after doing hard work. I strongly agree with your perspective on seasons—and I talk about seasons in therapy SO often for someone who doesn't have a seasonal affective disorder diagnosis. Demarcating eras and times through seasons or time containers has been really helpful on a trans/queer level, as well, when I am freaking out about how my self and desires are changing, because understanding how change works through the seasons—units that are so evidently natural, cyclical, and non-linear—can be really calming and clarifying. My favorite concept of time is a spiral, like a mandala that you are walking so your feet return to points on the path where you have walked before but you ARE also walking forward, and outward. Age brings expansion and broader scope in a similar way to a mandala, I think. I digress! I started writing this to share a recommendation on this idea, an episode of On Being about "Wintering" that talks about seasons and marking time. It touches on this exact thing and how "ritual-poor" we are in our society, especially in summer, a real loss when it comes to experiencing the passage of time, and specifically the relationship to ritual in British society. Audio and transcript here: https://onbeing.org/programs/katherine-may-how-wintering-replenishes/ Sending you love in all your endeavors and processes of growth always <3