Surviving the Decade
In the past ten years, I
bought my first car
found religion
joined cheerleading and marching band
made friends
lost friends
found another new religion
got diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder
graduated high school
fell in and out of love
changed religion again - found Islam and stuck with it
started to learn Arabic
got married
learned to listen without judgment
started to learn Korean
published my first book
gave a speech on the historic first Women’s Day in my home state
got into a car accident
visited a state that has touched each side of the United States
got my associates degree and finished a certificate program
learned the practice of forgiveness
This is the literal quickest run-down of the last ten years that I could manage to really contemplate and put into words. It has been NOTHING like what I expected, but truly Allah (SWT) is the best of planners. I am grateful for the chance at life.
It took a community of wonderful and amazing people to help me be the person I am today and if I were to list every single one, it would take me an eternity. I am thankful to the people who fed me, clothed me, encouraged me, left me, led me, followed me, taught me, and to those who listened wholeheartedly.
What I hope to do in the next ten years:
take the TOPIK exam and pass
transition from freelance to a permanent job in my field of either writing, religion, or both
become a hafidha (to memorize the entire Quran)
maybe get a masters degree in theology or counseling or something similar
travel more often out of the US
which I guess means I need to renew my passport first
have a tiny Tuscany maybe (or adopt)
learn 25 new recipes
continue to aim for my 50 books a year reading goal (this doesn’t always happen but oh well)
perhaps I’ll write another book
or maybe publish for at least 10 more publications
I would like to own enough bookshelves for all of my books (this might be too crazy and out there though)
P.S. If there is anything I’ve listed that you’re particularly curious about in regards to the last decade of my life, reach out and I’ll potentially write more about it. I love to hear reader feedback actually!
