When I found out that my favorite author was coming to San Francisco for a lecture to promote her new book, I was thrilled. I read her first book 17 years ago and I've been her ardent fan since.  She is a class act. I looked up to her; I admired her outspoken courage and fierce boldness. 

Since she was a role model to me, I dreamt that I would get twenty minutes with her where I would have a conversation about her work for my podcast.  This event would be the perfect chance to make this ask.  I counted the days leading up to it.

On the day of the lecture, I forgot to bring my copy of her new book.  When I found out that she would be signing books afterwards, I got hopeful that I could get my golden opportunity and make the request.  So I decided that I would purchase another copy of her book.

The book sale was closed ten minutes before the lecture would begin.  I left the lecture 40 minutes early so that I could quickly buy a new copy of her book and be first in line to get her autograph.  I paced back and forth waiting for the lecture to end, even coming close to the auditorium door, attempting to eavesdrop at the rest of her talk.  All of the ushers knew why I was in line and they wished me luck.  I planned the whole conversation in my head and how I'd make the request. 

I was indeed first in line.  I was so excited, I had an adrenaline rush.  Everyone rushed out of the auditorium hurriedly so that they can get their spot.

I was nervous when she came in and took her seat at the table.  I mustered the courage, came up to her, told her that I was her biggest fan and that I would love to schedule twenty minutes with her for a conversation in my podcast.  I had my contact information in hand, just in case. 

She said, "No, it's not possible" and said "Next".  I felt like the wind just pushed me out of line.  And that was it. It was over.

That moment felt like a dream crashing into pieces.  I was so bummed.  Rejection feels yucky. Especially from someone you put on a pedestal. 

After some reflection, I understood a new lesson.  I was so focused on the end goal that I forgot to enjoy the moment and feel the joy of just being there in the same room as her.  I was so intent on being first in line that I missed half of the program. 

This experience taught me the importance of radical presence.  "Life isn't a matter of milestones but of moments".  It was a reminder to live in the moment fully and to enjoy the journey rather than focusing on the destination.

In the end, my favorite author still managed to teach me a valuable lesson.

I witnessed something so beautiful tonight.

Two Sikh Indians, two Muslim Pakistanis and one American broke down borders and connected hearts.  They showed the world in how we, as humans, are meant to live- to appreciate, celebrate and love each other.  To respect each other and to promote peace.

Borders are only lines, they can't divide hearts.

What an honor to hold our your hands and to give of yourself.

What a blessing to be accepted.

Each moment is a gift of giving and receiving.

#Alhumdolillah

Day 30 of Gratitude

​I am grateful for experiences.

They say the best things in life are free.

I've always heard about the importance of writing a gratitude journal. It's something I thought about doing for a long time but I could never stick to it. So when I signed up to do this 30 days ago on a whim, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to commit. It's been one of the most humbling experiences of my life.

Here's what I learned-

The things that give you the most satisfaction and fulfillment aren't things you can buy or can eat.

Things will give you a few minutes of happiness, but they won't keep you content. Food will remove your temporary hunger pangs, but it won't keep you satiated.

Relationships, kind strangers, community, random acts of service, smiles, love, trees, moon, sun, wind, rain, stars, and most importantly faith and spirituality- these are the things that keep your happiness tank full.

Once you recognize abundance, all you see is abundance.

I was afraid that I wouldn't know what to write about each day and that I would run out of things to be grateful for. How could I? We are so abundantly blessed. The words just flowed.

Thank you for following my journey. I hope that you begin to see what I see.
Eid Mubarak.
#Alhumdolillah 
The best things in life are free, just like this mechanical bull ride:)

Day 29 of Gratitude

I am grateful to these hands.

The hands that carried me
The hands that raised me
The hands that consoled me
The hands that caressed me
The hands that fed me
The hands that supported me
The hands that prayed for me 
The hands that made me into who I am

Every second is a blessing with these hands.
Every breath is full of gratitude for these hands.

May the Almighty shower these hands with countless blessings. 
May the warmth of these hands continue to provide me comfort.
May these hands continue to hold me for as long as I can breathe.

These tired, selfless, generous hands belong to my Ami, my mother. No Ramadan is complete without her.

​It's my humble request to make dua (prayers) for her health.
Thank those hands that lift you up.
#Alhumdolillah

Day 28 of Gratitude
​
I am grateful for bridge builders.

This past week has been rough for the Muslim community. A young 17 year old girl was lost too soon and a London mosque became a victim to terrorism and hate.

I am beginning to witness a growing pit of fear and hopelessness in the Muslim community. It’s hard not to feel this way.

When I received this message this morning from my friend Stephanie Dukes, I was overcome with optimism. It renewed my faith in humanity and in the power of building bridges.

Here is Stephanie's message-

Hi Aliya - Yesterday was my second year participating in fasting and iftar at Credit Karma. My good friend and co worker Nazhat organized this both years and supported us "non practicing" fasters through the day. I made sure this year to wake up at 3:30am to eat (as I didn't last year) and so I was much more prepared for my day. While hunger pains only lasted a few minutes mid day the lack of water was harder. Thinking through the day about being surrounded by water and other beverages was always on my mind. It was hard to find the discipline to not partake. I did think to myself that no one would know if I took a drink in the bathroom... but I would know. I made it until 8:40pm and then broke my fast with the best tasting date and pint glass of cold water and I felt very lucky. I shared a delicious meal with a group of coworkers I love and then went to sleep with a full stomach (something that so many do not get to do). I am so impressed by my friends and coworkers who do this for the entire period of Ramadan and it was important to me to further my understanding and experience in their lives and to support them. I felt compelled to reach out to you and to let you know I was thinking about you and to share my experience.
I am very excited that I have been able to do this two years in a row now. There are many Muslims at work but there are several on my team and I know it has brought us closer together to do this together. In the picture of four people above, Ammar is in the center. He is such a kind, smart and giving man and I am proud to know him and to be his peer and manager.- Stephanie Dukes

When I received this message from Stephanie, I was reminded of a verse from the Surah Baqarah when God decided to make Adam a vicegerent on Earth.

“The angels said, "Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?" 

Allah said, "Indeed, I know that which you do not know."

Even God was optimistic about His creation.
Thank you Stephanie Dukes for being a bridge builder.
#Alhumdolillah

Day 27 of Gratitude 

​I am grateful for my voice.

"Listening is an act of love. The soul is contained in the human voice".

I love this quote from the founder of the radio series "Story Corps".

As a kid, instead of playing on the swings, I loved chatting it up with the parents of the kids on the swings. I loved asking them questions like, "what's for dinner tonight or what are you doing on the weekend, or where are you going this summer?" I remember one of the dads telling me,
"You ask too many questions, you need to be a reporter!"

In looking back and reflecting on this, my curiosity in others was a way for me to step into their world and to experience life through their eyes. Voice became a vehicle to their souls. Through conversation, in between words and silences, I discovered a newness in the other.

Our voices tell our stories. Through using our voices for questioning and listening, we help others believe that their stories matter. That we matter.

The voice is such a powerful human gift. It has the power to change hearts and minds....and the intensity to tremble and crumble hearts.

​Thank you to the incredible voices who allowed me into their souls to share their stories.
#Alhumdolillah

Day 26 of Gratitude

I am grateful for the chance to be alive. I am grateful for my breath.

"The uniqueness of being alive at this moment in time in the circumstances we live in is enough to be grateful every day, with every breath."

This summarizes beautifully what I've been feeling these past few days. It's a miracle to be here.

Tonight is the holiest night of the year for Muslims. On this night of Laylat Al Qadr, the Prophet Muhammad was deep in meditation and reflection. The Angel Gabriel came to him with the command, 'Read in the name of the Lord' and the Quran was revealed over the course of 23 years.

This is our night of reflection. This is our night of meditation. This is our night of being in touch with the source of our breath. This is the night when our last breath will be determined.

On this holy night, I ask the Almighty to make it easy on those who struggle to breathe, to unburden them of their pain, to help them live with honor and dignity.

I ask the Almighty to bring peace and calm to the rage, to protect every child from harms way, to overflow our hearts with love and kindness, to increase patience and understanding for each other, to increase our capacity to uplift our brothers and sisters. Ameen

#Alhumdolillah