There are a few things I could speak about this week: the Barcelona terror attack, which, again, left 13 innocent people dead; Amir Khan and Faryal Makhdoom’s very public, childish spat regarding their divorce, and the Charlottesville attack in the US, where a man rammed a car into anti-racist protestors in Virginia. However, I feel pretty exhausted just thinking about the state of the world at the moment (I’ve felt like this for ages) – there are terror attacks every single week, the masses are still worshipping stupid people who somehow became famous, and Donald Trump is the president of the United States of America. What more is there to say?
Publicité
So anyway, putting all of that aside, in more positive news, this week I found out that an old friend of mine just secured a radio slot on the UK’s biggest radio station, BBC Radio 1. I cannot even tell you the immense joy that it brings me to see people around me and the same age as me achieving such great things; proof that hard work, determination and self-belief truly do pay off. But, as happy as I was to see his fantastic news on social media, it made me feel a little bit down about my own goals and successes. You see, we both had similar dreams once upon a time. I too, one day, wanted to be working for the BBC – I wanted my own radio show; I wanted to tour the world meeting people and making important social documentaries; I wanted to be hosting events all around the world. But the difference is, he stayed on course to achieve his dreams and amazingly has, while my life took on a whole different direction, beyond my control. Marriage and children entered and flipped my whole world upside down, and although I am so thankful for the beautiful family that I have and am a part of, I can’t help but wonder what I would have been doing in life. I’m sure other parents out there can relate.
All of this got me thinking and reevaluating my dreams and goals, and even though my life has taken a completely different direction to how I ever imagined, I know that whatever I want to achieve, I can and I will – maybe just not in the same way or in the same timeframe that I thought. The same goes for everyone out there who may be feeling or has felt the same.
Society will have you believe (through no fault of your own), that certain milestones need to be reached by a certain age, and when they don’t happen, you can be left feeling pretty useless; questioning yourself, your abilities and even your worth. But what I say is, forget society! Live your life your way, keep pursuing those dreams, believe in yourself and trust the journey – because not everyone’s life was meant to be lived the same. Today I share with you the stories of three amazing people that I am inspired by (among many others) who were knocked down and got back up again with a vengeance…
For me, the common theme among all three of these people is that things happened in their lives outside of their control, knocking them off course – yet they still went on to achieve extraordinary things. And what’s funny is that I think if those things hadn’t happened in their lives, then the outcome of their successes most probably wouldn’t have been the same.
Personally, I believe that we are creators of our own destiny and I also believe that every single thing that happens in our lives happens for a reason. This is why I reiterate that you must believe in yourself and trust in your journey – everything will come to you when the time is right. With hard work, determination, a positive attitude and self-belief, anything is possible. Keep going!
J.K.Rowling
I am obsessed with all things Harry Potter and what makes it even better is knowing the story of the woman behind it all! Jo Rowling saw herself as a failure seven years after graduating from University. She was a single, jobless mother, surviving on state benefits; was diagnosed as being clinically depressed and at one point even contemplated suicide. The first Harry Potter book was rejected by 12 different publishing houses until Bloomsbury decided to give Jo a shot, although still advising her to get a day job. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was published in 1997 and now, in 2017, that same woman is worth over $650 million – showing just how possible it is to turn your life around even when you’ve hit rock bottom.
Nelson Mandela
Now here is a man who is awe-inspiring. Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician and philanthropist - if you don’t already know – and one of the things that amazes me about his story is that he spent 27 years in prison, (27 YEARS – that’s almost my entire life!) and still came out undeterred, going on to become the President of South Africa and achieving change that was so desperately needed.
Oprah Winfrey
The now 63-year old black American beauty is a household name who overcame many obstacles to get to where she is today – an American media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer and philanthropist. Oprah was a victim of repeated sexual abuse as a child. She became pregnant at the age of 14, losing the baby two weeks after its birth. Despite all her pain and trauma, she persevered and finished high school as an honours student, earned a full scholarship to university and worked her way up through the ranks of television, making her the international, inspiring superstar that she is today.
Light & Love, Sabah
CONTACT
Facebook: /SabahIsmailOnline
Twitter: @SabahIsmail_
Instagram: @sabahgram_
Sabah Ismail is a 28-year-old British expat residing in Mauritius with her husband and two young children. She is a writer, artist and businesswoman with a positive outlook on life, believing deeply in the saying, “Be the change you wish to see in the world”. This is her space each week to share her thoughts on life and current issues, as well as inspiration and motivation for living a happier, more fulfilled life.
Notre service WhatsApp. Vous êtes témoins d`un événement d`actualité ou d`une scène insolite? Envoyez-nous vos photos ou vidéos sur le 5 259 82 00 !
