Courageous Conversations

 The Quest against Time and the Fear of aging:  "Age is a funny thing. When you're young, you can't wait to grow up, excited for each birthday, bragging about being older, all because it symbolizes the freedom of being able to do anything, to be anyone. Your fantasies ranged from astronauts to presidents, models to princes or princesses. Then years go by and you find yourself dreading the next year, finding yourself under the pressure of becoming someone, walking away from the belief that you can be anything or anyone you want to be. You put yourself in this four-sided box, always trying to be this idea of someone you should be.  And instead, each approaching birthday feels like another reminder of how many years you've been on this planet and how little you've accomplished; another reminder of feeling unaccomplished and not as powerful as you thought you were; and you then find yourself racing against time to be somebody, do something, because then you'll be w...

"Let my faith change my life, not justify it!"   Years ago, when I was struggling in high school, I announced I was an atheist; I didn't want to believe in God anymore; I was even doubting His existence. Looking back, that was one of the biggest cornerstones in my life, and I mean my whole life, not just spiritually. It was the first time I had seriously questioned and even walked away from the religion I had inherited—the religion I was raised in. I saw God through new eyes, and I got to know him personally. When I did, I knew I had found my home.   It's funny how, now, I can't even imagine not having God in my life. Not know him like I do or have the relationship I do. If you had asked me then about miracles, I would probably give an answer that would let you know how cynical I was, but today I would say, "Of course I know about miracles; I am standing here today because of not one, not two, but millions of big and small miracles God has given me throug...

 "A little step goes a long way." I don't remember when I first learned about the concept of mental health , or even when I started to try and understand mine. For a young girl from a  'developing' country it is not exactly a term that is normalized. And though it has not been an easy road, I am glad that I did. I had once read a quote that stuck with me; it was something along the lines of '... how sad it is to have to live your life translating your love because you love someone who doesn't speak your language...' I may have butchered the quote, but you get the gist. I had then thought it was worse to have to live your life translating their love because they fail to love you in the way you deserve.   Now I think it is worse to live your life misunderstood because you never knew how to translate your pain in a way those around you could understand. How can you when you can barely understand it yourself? That feeling of doubting yourself—feeling like ...