Be your own Hero!

Hello, dear reader. First of all I want to thank you! Thank you SO much! For all of your unconditional support, love and faithfulness.

I cannot believe that in just ONE WEEK my latest post, "Colour Outside the Lines," has reached over 500 views, which is INSANE!

I am so happy!

Also, I've launched a Facebook Page and have had over 100 likes in just 2 days. Thank you, thank you, and thank you!

(If you haven't liked my Facebook page, here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sheeza-Iqbal/336677806483304?ref_type=bookmark)

Like away!

Now that the formalities are out of the way, let's get to the heart-to-heart, shall we? Awesome!

So, earlier this month I've gotten a lot of comments from you, dear reader, on social media telling me that you enjoy my posts and you find them inspirational. You also told me that you once thought dreams were just for kids and that in the real world it is very hard to accomplish the magic one may find in his/her dreams.

To that I say, you're right.

Then, dear reader, you said to me that because of some circumstances it was hard for you to actualize your dream, but now when you have the time and the means you lack self-confidence. You are doubtful, scared, and worried.

And that, I can also understand.

Because to believe in yourself when no one else will is a challenging investment. It is easy to believe in something that is popular, safe, and certain. You are comfortable in blindly following someone else's footsteps because the implants are already there. You don't have to carve your own way, you don't have to worry about logistics and most importantly you don't have worry about the option of failure.

But that is not what faith is all about.

Faith is to believe with your heart that which is unseen.

It is, to a great extent, about the heart more than it is about the mind.

You can be logical and calculate pros and cons, but at the end of the day it is what gets you in the feels.

Now, I'm not asking you to take a blind leap.  Do your research, do your homework, understand what you are getting yourself in to and then WORK HARD.

Don't just sit there and expect things to happen. Do your part in preparing yourself and make things happen.

But when it is time for you to take the leap, let go of the security, the safety and the certainty and do it.

Call on your faith and do it. Even if you are alone.

Don't let the doubts of tomorrow hinder the success of today. You're much stronger then your doubtful whispers let on and more capable than the evaluations of society.

Of course, all of this is a lot easier on us when we have someone. We all want someone to believe in us, to support us, to love us and have confidence in us that we are capable and that we can  succeed.

But, why can't that person be you? Why you so afraid to take a chance on yourself? It is unfair of you, dear reader, to ask others to do what you cannot do for yourself.

Become that support, that confidence and that pillar of strength for yourself.

Become your own hero.

Because once you've accomplished that, dear reader, you will realize the power of your potential and become invincible. And that is a pretty cool place to be.

Until next time, smiles up and doubts down.

isheeza

Colour Outside the Lines

Hello, dear reader, how are you doing on this amazing, moonlit night?  Seriously Toronto, I forgive you for the harsh winter you put me through for the moonful nights that you are sending my way. The moon looks picture perfect tonight!

It's full and a little hazy. The dark, thin clouds have slithered over it, enunciating the mystical and the magical potential of the moon.

It's breathtaking!

The only thing missing is a werewolves with abs.

Haha, I joke (not really).

Anyways, dear reader, the writing update for you is that I am currently STILL in the middle of editing, which means two things. One: It's a lot of action for me and two: everyone else just sees me parked in front of a computer screen all day, typing aimlessly.

But it's not aimless.

I am changing so many things: sentences, dialogues, transitions, character development etc.

So you see it's a lot of work for me and I can vouch for the progress that I am doing, but you, dear reader, you see nothing.

All you see is a promise of a great, upcoming novel which will be released sometime early next year and all you can do is wait for it.

Wait for me to produce some tangible results for you. Fear not, dear reader, you're not the only one waiting. The people in my life, my family, my friends, my students, and my impatient dreams, we are all waiting for the day where I will stand in front of you with a visible copy of my novel.

And that is where trouble sits in.

People start suggesting that while "I wait" for my novel to be published I should "do something with my life" and it is frustratingly hard for me to explain to you that I am doing something with my life. I am writing.

The thing with creative processes is, dear reader, that they come at their own pace and their success depends on your approval. I cannot rush my words, I cannot simply show you something that is yet to be, because I need time to create it and perfect it to the image that is in my head.

It is hard for people to accept that. They want immediate results, results they can see. What you cannot see is my constant movement with social media, my ideas for my second book, my editing process, my publishing concerns, my writer's block, my 3 am editing, my research for an unknown industry, and the list goes on and on.

It's stressfully nerve wrecking.

And it is probably why people are so scared to detach themselves from conventional jobs.

 Don't get me wrong, we need the doctors, teachers, lawyers, engineers, nurses, consultants and dentists. They are absolutely essential to us and we need them to tend to our daily needs. As long as the human exists he/she will need to be taken care of and conventional professions provide that.

Creative professions, on the other hand, come after the basic needs have been met. For example, I read for leisure. I will not be concerned with Lisa Genova's upcoming novel if I don't have a roof over my head or I will not enjoy reading her brilliant words if my gums are bleeding. Therefore, it is safer for me to take the conventional route than the creative one because conventional will always be in demand.

But, some people are not conventional. They are born to colour outside the lines and despite trying to fit themselves into conventions they cannot do so. And then comes the really sucky part, dear reader, they feel like failures.

They will be scared to be creative, to dare to be different.

I know I am.

So, what gets me through? What keeps me fastened to my dream?

The answer is simple: Love, support and belief.

And all of that comes primarily from me. I love myself for creating these blogs for you, I am supportive of myself when I have bad writing days and I believe in my dreams no matter what anyone says.

Of course, family love is always a bonus, but the point is, dear reader, you cannot expect someone to take a chance on you when you won't take a chance on yourself. Your hesitance, your fear and your lack of belief shows. It really does.

You need to let go and invest in yourself.

Trust yourself, dear reader, and strengthen this belief inside of you: You have the power to be unconventionally successful and you will do all that it takes to get there.

Stop comparing yourself to conventional success because creative success is measured differently. It takes longer to be actualized.

So tell me, dear reader, are you worth the wait?

And if the answer is yes, then share this blog, and go and take the first step towards your dreams.

Because, trust me, dear reader, you are worth it.

isheeza

Ubuntu: Humanity to Others

Hello, dear readers and happy Monday. First of all I would like to apologize for reducing my blog posting from twice a week to once a week.

It's only for a month. After that you will be getting a double dose of me every week and your life will be complete.

=)

So, today I wanted to share with you a little success. I have reached 5000 views on my blog! I know!

 I'll wait while you thunderously applaud my success.

But, seriously, 5000 views is really no joke! After constantly bombarding your Facebook feed, polluting your Instagram and tweeting you about my updating posts you have finally given in, dear reader, and I couldn't be happier.

And it is about time. You are SO high maintenance. If I was Bollywood actor I would have changed 29 outfits, sang 13 songs, beat up 541 goons (at once, ofc!), fought with 7 families and eloped with you 8 times.

Talk about my persistence, huh?

This just goes to show that harassment can have a positive outcome. Don't let anyone else tell you otherwise!

On a more serious note, the only reason as to why I have 5000 views or comments from people telling me how much they enjoy my blogs is because of  your selflessness, dear reader.

And the cool thing about it is that selflessness is not limited to a country, a culture or a religion. The concept of selflessness is encouraged in every part of this world and that, dear reader, is what you have done.

You have been selfless with your time and your love and your selflessness reminds me of something beautiful.

In ancient African there is a word that I have fallen in love with.

Ubuntu (oo-BOON-too). This words loosely translates into: Humanity to others.

When I first came across this word I didn't think much of it. But as I began to use it and see it in my everyday life I came to realize how much meaning this average word contains.

This term can direct your entire life and to be perfectly honest, as humans, we're completely lost on it. When I walk around my city I don't see people helping others for the sake of humanity. Instead, I see them helping others for their own sake. Sometimes people will become a walking talking questionnaire before they can even think about helping someone.

"Why don't you just get a job?"

"What if he spends my money on drugs?"

"I can't donate money now, I need it!"

And God forbid if the amount turns into double digit numbers then you want a contract signed in blood.

Do you realize, dear reader, that you can easily spend $100 on tops and pants at H&M but you will think a thousand times before you give some a $50.

Why?

Because your money suddenly becomes substantial. When you are spending money on yourself it's not a big deal, but if you were to spend the same money on someone else you would fall nothing short of a heart attack.

Try it.

It's this malice in our hearts that forces us to become distrusting, selfish, and self-serving. Where is your empathy? How can you not acknowledge an individual's pain on a human level?

And even if they misuse your money, your help or your time that shouldn't stop you from helping humanity. Because it's not about you, its about them.

So bring back the concept of Ubuntu. Don't let the meaning become as ancient as the word and you will find a strange sense of tranquility. Show others what it means to be a human being. Help someone with their grocery bags, drop a $50 in the homeless guy's cup without thinking twice, sponsor a child who needs the basic necessities of life, or give your mom a hug.

Because everything will fade away, but the peace that you will gain by giving and being selfless will last you a lifetime.

As Jim Carrey once said: "I hope everybody could get rich and famous and will have everything they ever dreamed of, so they will know that it's not the answer."

Until next time, dear reader!

isheeza

Risk Everything

Hello, dear reader. How goes it? Have you done anything spontaneous or adventures or something that is not really you? 

If the answer to that is no then you're part of the majority. 

For those of you who answered no to this question because your mom won't let you, we're in the same boat. But, for those of you who don't have a brown dad expecting you to be home before sunset then you have no excuse. 

You really don't. 

It's one thing to have been tied down and its another to tie yourself down. 

I'll explain. 

In life, there are moments when we are completely free of everything and everyone and it is in those moments that what we choose to do what defines us for who we are. If you do something you are expected to do then that's not really you. It is a part of you, but not the entire you.  But, if you are given a moment of freedom, if you are given a choice at a crossroad, then, dear reader, you must be authentic. 

You must be risky. 

And you must be brave. 

All of these things are interconnected. You cannot have one without the other. 

If you want to make your mark in this world and you want to stand out from the usual crowd, then you must do something that hasn't been done before. This could mean that it has't been done in your family, it hasn't been done amongst your friends, it hasn't been done in your country or that no one in this entire planet has attempted to do what you have done. 

The point is, dear reader, the choice to be authentic presents itself on multiple levels, not just one. You don't have to be Bill Gates or Steve Jobs, you can be authentic and risky at any level. 

Now, that doesn't mean break all the rules and go crazy. The concept of authenticity and being risky can be tied to anything. I'll give you an example and I apologize in advance for it's cheesiness. Let's say that you are sitting at home, being the person that you are. Maybe you've situated yourself in front of the TV and are currently stuffing your face with chips or maybe you're on your electronic device, tweeting away at the awesomeness that is isheeza, if you're not then I'll wait while you do so. 

*Waiting*

So, where was I? Ah yes, you just finished social networking about me. This is your daily routine and it is most probably the routine of many individuals around the world. But that is not being authentic. That is being the usual and trust me, dear reader, there is nothing extraordinary about that. 

Even the fact that you can stuff 20 chips in your mouth without breaking them. 

What would be extraordinary, dear reader, if you were to put down that remote and do something that you're scared to do. Put yourself out there and let the world know about your talents. Maybe you can write, paint, direct, be a fashionista, draw comics, or even make the world's best souffle. Whatever it is, dear reader, it not only defines you but it expresses you in a way that is authentically you (see what I did there?).

So what are you waiting for? What is the hold up? If not now, then when?

If all of these are excuses and not valid reasons then you need to put yourself out there. You need to risk everything, your image, your fears, your excuses...everything. 

Why?

Because, dear reader, you could be great. Don't let your excuses delay your abilities. You need to pursue what makes you unique and to let the world know how your talents can make the mark. 

You can make it big. 

So.

Be authentic, be risky, and be brave.

I'm right behind you!

isheeza

The Middle

Hello, dear reader, I have a dilemma that I need to discuss with you. This matter is of utmost urgency and for that I need your undivided attention.

Haha! As if you multitask while reading my blog.

(Let me be happy in my bubble of love.)

So, let's get to it, shall we?

My problem these days, dear reader, is that I am in the middle.

Smack dab in the middle.

In the middle of what you may ask?

Of many things. And I don't know if it's just me, but once I am in the middle I feel as if I am stuck. I feel like I am a truck who's tires are stuck in the mud and I need a lot of engine power to get out of there.

Am I the only one? Consider the scenario below:

When I start working on a project I am enthusiastic, energized and relentless. I cannot wait to get started and I make sure that every excruciating detail is taken care of. The project is all that I talk about and I cannot help but spend every second of my existence on it. But, as time goes on and my project reaches its middle, all of those adjectives, that I had attached to it previously, fade away. I am no longer enthusiastic, I am no longer energetic and I am no longer relentless. Instead I become lazy, I start making excuses, and I lose interest.

And it happens to me all the time. (Pronounce the 'all' in an annoyed and stretched out voice, with a hint of nasal).

Because of this "middle process," dear reader, I must have given up on numerous ideas. All of which come to me at 3:30 am and all of which I forget by the morning. But, the point is, dear reader, that one of these ideas could have turned into something great, something phenomenal.

But I don't let myself get to the end of it to find out. I just can't seem to see my idea through until the end.

Let's say, for argument's sake, that I do act upon my brilliant, 4:00 am idea and I manage to start working on it, but once I get to the middle, my idea doesn't stand a chance. Sometimes it becomes boring and sometimes I become lazy and it is because of these equalizers that I happen to get stuck in the middle.

So, I guess the real question that I want to ask you is: How does one get over the middle?

Is it even possible?

As an aspiring author, I can tell you that I have written many excerpts and short stories that are all left unfinished. This novel is the only piece of writing that I have actually managed to finish and now that I am in the editing process of it all (which is SO long and annoyingly frustrating at times) I can feel the familiar tug of the middle. I can sense it coming, wanting to wrap its lazy hands around me, telling me that it's okay to start slacking off.

And oh, is it ever tempting.

I don't like the editing part of writing, dear reader, I hate it. It is so tempting to just drop the whole thing just so I won't have to put in the extra effort of editing into it.

(Gasp!)

But I can't.

I may hate the editing process, but I love the writing part of it and if I want my book to be actualized, to be read successfully, then I am going to have to scrape myself out of the middle and see this book through.

And I want you to do that as well.

I want you to find a dream, I want you to work through it and I want to see you finish it. Don't let the temporary comfort of the middle stop you from accomplishing the big wonders in your life.

It's not worth it. Coming out bruised, battered, tired, and annoyed is.

Why?

 Because, dear reader, those battle scars will prove to you that you are capable of much more than the comforts of compromise and laziness.

So pull yourself out and let your name go down in history.

isheeza

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.

Hello, dear reader, first of all I apologize for the missing post. There were multiple technical difficulties that came in the way of the brilliance that I had woven together for you, but, fear no more. You have the chance to take it all in today.

I know, my head is getting too big for my shoulders. It is a horrible medical condition I have been told, but no worries, dear reader, I am taking the required medication.

Now that my medical condition and required pills are out of the way let's get going on this blog.

It still boggles the mind of many that I chose to leave the secure and promising career of a teacher to purse my aspirations as an author. You see, dear reader, the career of an author is a hit or miss. After thorough research the sad fact is that publishers do not care about the content of your book or the inspiring messages hidden within them. In the end, it's all about the numbers. If your content promises a large audience who is willing to spend its money on you then you are given the green light, otherwise you're added to the rejection pile.

Kind of harsh, isn't it?

I think so too. Not only that but the amount of effort, love and care that you may have poured into your book is worthless if it doesn't sell.

It's more of a miss than a hit.

A teacher's job, on the other hand, is a safe 9-5 (and then some) with a steady pay, health and dental benefits and a set number of days for vay-cay. #summer

It is a rewarding and enlightening experience that allows you to learn and experience something new everyday and I have loved every minute of it. The connection that I was able to make with my students was beyond amazing. It was not only a safe job, but a rewarding one too and after you compare the two it doesn't make much sense for me to leave a secure and promising future for something more....shady.

But, despite knowing all that and understanding that I don't stand much of a chance against the big guys I have put every ounce of my soul in this book. Some would argue that I have "thrown away" the security and safety that comes with teaching to pursue a losing battle.

Although I may agree with the statement above, I cannot help but embark on this big, confusing journey.

Why?

Because my faith is stronger than facts. I believe that the words I write have the ability to entertain the reader, I believe that I am stronger on paper than I am in person, I believe that I can create some colossal word combinations that have an impact and most importantly I believe that I can be an accomplished writer despite the impending doom looming over me.

And when the battle is over and I am the victor there won't be anything in this world that I will not be able to do. The conquest that I will have accomplished will remind me of the power that I hold inside of me.

The concept of faith and belief is innate for humans, dear reader, and once you embrace it you will become unstoppable. So, don't limit yourself by the worldly facts and rules. Free yourself by accepting that you can because you believe that you can, and you will.

You most definitely will.

isheeza

Happy Father's Day: ZaidAliT Edition

Hello, dear reader, how goes your lovely summer Monday? I say summer because I feel as if I haven't gone international yet, but if there are any international #isheezers I would like to address you in these three words.

Er. Ma. God

And now that those three words have summed up everything that went through my head in the moment where I entertained the idea of having international readers I shall move on to today's blog spot.

Before I go any further I should clarify that today's blog post is not about me (I know, I'm disappointed too) rather it is inspired by a Father's Day video that I stumbled across on Twitter.

I don't know if you know him, but this young man seems to be quite popular. Especially with the younger generation of the brown community.

He goes by the name ZaidAliT and he is a comedian who posts up memes, videos and tweets that  relate very well to the brown community. After doing some research on him (sorry ZaidAliT for sounding like a creeper) he piqued my curiosity.

Here is an example of my favourite meme from him.

I literally LOL-ed out loud. It was a lot of work.

For those who don't speak the brown language (Urdu/Hindi) the word shabash loosely translates into, "Bravo, well done! What an achievement!"

Here's another one that resonates very well with the brown culture:

That pretty much how it is.

But here is what made ZaidAliT stand out for me.

Apart from his witty jokes and interactive videos, ZaidAliT grounds certain values in his viewers that are slowly becoming extinct. These values include honesty, compassion, respect, empathy, and selflessness.

There is a video of him surprising a Walmart cashier woman for Mother's Day with a flower, just because.

How sweet.

Not only that, this individual is helping to bring an understanding of the younger generation and the older generation closer. His posts highlight the struggles of a young, brown individual with parents, society, and religion, but at the same time these posts hold an underlining of understanding.

An understanding of what?

ZaidAliT, dear reader, very cleverly forces you to understand the situation from an older person's perspective, for example, parents.

His recent Father's Day video did just that.

He has posted memes and tweets that talk about the whimsical enigma that are brown dads, but his video, which shows a range of emotion as he gifts his father his dream car, show us the softness that is embedded in them.

Culturally, brown dads are taught to portray themselves as tough, no-nonsense individuals, but deep down they too have dreams and aspirations that have been sacrificed for us. Moreover, in the video, his father tears up, unable to take the overwhelming feeling of love that he feels upon seeing the car and it is in this moment, dear reader, that you look at your own father differently.

Don't you?

He's no longer the tough man, he is now a man that needs your love and understanding just as much as you need his.

This video for me was highly inspiring and a reminder of how I shouldn't let perspective fool me into belittling the favours that have been bestowed upon me.

So, thank you, ZaidAliT for being an individual who not only promotes the desperately needed brown awareness, but at the same time you inspire 426, 802 likes on Facebook, 98K followers on Twitter in a way that is indubitably admirable.

Don't ever stop.

isheeza

The link to the Father's Day video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaI3rx6BsAI

Twitter Account: @Za1d