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Return, Recharge, Reclaim


Newark, NJ [oringinal photo]
After a challenging two weeks, I am back at home. And, in less than 24hrs, it has been just the pick-me-up I needed. In the pursuit of education, I have lived between home and elsewhere for the last ten years. Over time, my periodic visits home has made me a familiar stranger within my community. "Oh you're that other daughter, right?" or "You're the one away at boarding school, huh?" are still common questions I get even though I am six years removed from my high school experience. As a graduate student now, and perhaps closer to the time I'll return home permanently, my home visits have been much more meaningful and fulfilling. Coming home has been a revival in many ways. While being away from what inspired me to go off into the world in the first place, it gets easy to lose sight of my initial motivations. Fortunately, home has that gentle way of reacquainting you with dreams that you forgot about in your pursuit of them.


My family plays a huge role in that. Talking with my sister, walking through my community, reflecting on where I came from has all allowed me to refresh and reclarify some of my life goals this weekend. Thankfully, I have been blessed with a family that not only inspires me to dream, but demands that I do it. The passion that I have watched my mother and my father display for changing the community and creating a legacy is echoed in my own subconcious thoughts more and more often. The strong will and determination of my sisters have urged me to channel my own ferocity and courage. With such a team of people guiding and supporting me, it's hard not to feel unstoppable.  In returning home, I've recharged my emotional, spiritual, and vocational batteries. Moving forward, I want to continue to improve my craft and begin laying the foundation for the future I hope to create. Most importantly, I hope to maintain this sense of confidence and duty I feel now and use it to energize my journey toward refining (and in some ways reclaiming) my spot as the intelligent and dedicated Muslim I was always raised to be. Wish me luck!

Comments

  1. LA FLEUR URBAINEJune 18, 2012 at 2:04 PM

    I love this! Well said "reacquainting you with dreams that you forgot about in your pursuit of them." Its so true we get so wrapped up in chasing dreams and they transform and we forget the original idea. That is why it is important to write and reflect. :-)

    ReplyDelete

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