A new era

Today my heart feels a little heavy, but also incredibly determined. We've all been there, haven't we? That gut-punch feeling of disappointment . It can come from so many places – a dashed hope, a broken promise, or maybe, most painfully, the realization that someone else's actions or words have left us feeling less-than. Life has this funny way of throwing curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs feel less like a game and more like a direct hit to our core. When you've invested your energy, your trust, or even just your good intentions, and it all comes crashing down, it's easy to feel lost, to question everything, and to let that sting deep into every part of you. But here’s the thing I've learned, sometimes through tear-stained eyes and quiet reflection: Disappointment, though painful, doesn't define us. It's a moment, a challenge, a feeling – but it is not who we are. And speaking of who we are, let's talk about those moments when someone el...

Not too long ago, I took hubby, his best friend, and his wife to the opera house to watch my favorite type of performance. Yes, they had no choice but to come, and they had to enjoy it because I said so! LOL. All jokes aside, though, it was a really good show, and we all enjoyed it and had a great time. The music was superb as it blended the West and East very well. It was a captivating and deeply moving celebration of Arab and Andalusian musical and cultural heritage. The show seamlessly blended music, dance, and visual poetry, taking the audience on a dreamlike journey through the labyrinthine streets and history of the Alhambra. For me, witnessing the exquisite dance and the masterful command of the stage brought back a flood of memories. There's a unique magic in the way movement and music can tell a story, and this performance deeply resonated with my own love for dance. It transported me back to a time when I, too, spent countless hours perfecting steps, feeling the rhythm i...

 This is the first time that a post isn't written by me. Well, the majority of what you will read now has been sent to me and beautifully written by some very dear friends of mine. Life has thrown a curveball in the form of a new health concern. It's something I'm unfamiliar with, and my loved ones are too, so I'm really unsure about the best steps to take. One of my friends witnessed this firsthand and I underestimated how powerful a long hug from her was. It was perhaps what I needed at the time to just reassure myself that "this too shall pass". This morning, she sent the below, saying she's jealous she wasn't my inspiration in the last post, but she hopes this piece will create its own magic. I was so impressed that I decided to actually post it as it is. Isn't she an amazing writer!? It's like watching the tallest tree in the forest suddenly sway and creak in a storm, the one you always leaned against for shade. For so long, she was our an...

 Okay, so it has been a few months since my last post. I must admit, it is entirely my fault for not being consistent; however, I also have to be honest that I have been writing another personal piece on the side which needed my undivided attention, and I had to give myself some time before I could balance both simultaneously. I got inspired again! And let me tell you, the feeling of inspiration is unlike any other, especially when you start questioning yourself and your abilities. I had a very short yet much-needed "tough love" talk from a dear one, and it ignited something in me. I got asked the difficult questions, the uncomfortable questions, the questions I did not want to be asked but knew I had to answer (or at least think about), and most importantly, I got reminded of what is important and how to ensure that what I value comes second to no one. I'll spare you the details for now because that will be for another post another day. My focus this time, though, is on ...