For All Us Students of Life
A few thoughts on self belief and personal power that I shared with my graduating class
I haven’t written anything in a while, and that is because I’m traveling for the summer, visiting my parents. Back to where it all started. The original scene of the crime. For all the adults out there with complicated upbringings and aging parents, you might be able to relate to this time of heightened triggers for me, feeling like a voiceless child again, frustrated by how little progress I’ve actually made to evolve beyond my past conditioning. Maybe one day, I will write more about parents and parenting.
But for now, here’s something a bit more uplifting - an excerpt from the email message I shared with my graduating high school English Literature students in Pakistan, earlier this month. Seeing as we are all students of life, in a continuous process of starting new stages and graduating from old ones, I thought this might be a nice reminder for anyone that needs it. Let me know what you think.
When I thought about what I could possibly say to you before you graduate, I pondered over poems, songs, and the wisdom of well-known wordsmiths. But then I thought, no, I’ve done enough of that. I will speak from the heart and share one last “lesson”.
You are already aware you inhabit the leading role in the literary masterpiece that is your life. Just like an author has the power to make anything happen in her fictional world, so, too, do you. Sure, you may not have complete control over everything, like where you end up going to college, or where you’ll be in five years’ time, or the number and nature of all the obstacles you’ll face in between, but you do have control over one crucial aspect of your story, and that is what you believe.
When you choose to believe something, you are breathing life into it. Many people only want to believe what is true, but truth is an ambiguous concept. What is true for one person will not be true for another. Your world is entirely how you perceive it. If you believe in God, that becomes your truth. If you believe in love, that will color the lens through which you see everything around you. If you believe in magic, life becomes magical.
Does God exist? Is magic real? Who knows. The scientists among you might feel the need to see proof, but know that there are too many things that will never be proven in your lifetime and beyond. Don’t wait for proof to believe in all things good and wonderful. Don’t wait for someone to believe in you, as proof that it’s okay to believe in yourself.
Just like an author, you can believe things into being, but only once your core beliefs, thoughts, words, and actions are aligned and consciously in service to a singular purpose. If you want something badly enough, whisper it into the Universe’s ear, sit back, relax, and have faith you’ll receive a positive response. Don’t give up hope. It might not happen on your timeline, but one way or another, your beliefs will shape your reality.
You are much more powerful than you know.
As you step into your future, think about the kind of person you always wish you’d had in your life. Strive to become that person for someone else. Think about the obstacles you’ve faced and all the ways you wish this world would change. Choose to pursue at least one of those ways, and believe in your power to alter the shape of this world.
Two years ago, I wanted to see more love, empathy, and connection in the world, and less abuse of power. Is it a wonder I ended up teaching “The Handmaid’s Tale” at an all boys school in a fiercely patriarchal country, to a council of seven sages? This wasn’t planned; it just happened. Cultivate your beliefs, make choices that align with your values, and then watch as opportunities emerge.
Remember, every door you knock on won’t open; focus on the ones that do. Don’t waste your limited time and energy thinking life is some kind of race that everyone else is winning but you. We’re all headed towards the same finish line. And the only person you need to “compete” with is yesterday’s version of yourself.
What awaits you at the other end of this summer will be equal parts invigorating, daunting, overwhelming, and transformative. Please know that those moments you find yourself wading through darker waters will only be temporary and you are never alone. Reach out to the network of friends and mentors you’ve made at school and elsewhere. Reach out to me. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. By asking for help, you are also giving someone else the opportunity to be of service.
“More empathy? More connection? But Miss, at the end of the day, you only taught three books to seven students,” you might say. That is the truth.
But this is my strong belief: those seven students will go out into the world and make waves. I know they will achieve amazing things, but more importantly, they will light up the world through the very essence of their being.
I wish you all an amazing summer, an enriching college experience, clarity of purpose, unwavering self belief, abundant love, and a life full of meaning, magic, and wonder.
This isn’t meant to be goodbye. I hope you’ll keep in touch.
Warmest wishes,
Nida
PS - When I said I wasn’t going to share a poem, I lied.😛 Here is an excerpt from the writing of Elias Amidon:
Something unspeakably good is shining here,
some generosity so quiet and nonchalant
it leaves no trace of itself
yet appears as you and me
and every moment created and left behind,
nothing ever personal yet everything always intimate.
So much to say and nothing to say because you said it all. This is so profound. Thank you.🙏🏽💛
Love the poem. It is truly intimate. Deeper 🙏