Aim For the Sky

My mom gave birth to me after seven months of pregnancy. I didn't cry immediately so I had to go through treatments to stay alive. After 45 days of battling back and forth, I let out the loudest cry to celebrate my victory. Though I won the battle, I still had to take medicines to make it in the two months I missed in pregnancy. My parents took me to all the doctor's appointments, revisions, vitamins and anything related to my healing process. My mother made sure nothing interferes with it.

Throughout my last doctor's appointment, he told my mom "Malak will do things that if you have 10 children after her would be able to do. She is perfectly healthy". My mom's eyes lit up and I can now face the world fiercely. My parents said that I was different or maybe unique but all parents say the same about their kids.

I remember sneaking up at night to watch documentaries about sea creatures and scientists, planets and space missions, and I wrote down notes. I wanted to be a scientist then I wanted to be an astronaut. I gazed differently at stars at night. as if they held my dreams upon them. Deep down I knew they did.

I still do. The sky is not just a sky full of clouds and stars, it is where dreams come true. I have been climbing the ladder to reach the sky and I am still on my way. I fell off of it many times and I haven't given up yet. It hurt me every time I fell but it made me stronger. As the saying says, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger".

About a month ago, I received an urgent email to check if I can represent the organization for a quick meeting in Tunisia. I have never been a leader this way, I have always described myself as a good follower but in order to be a good leader, you have to be a good follower. Though I never thought I would be both. It happened quickly and I only had a week to prepare. I was representing the organization and I was so passionate and dedicated towards it.

I took permission from work and I packed my things and headed to the airport. In addition to my jammed up work, I made sure that I am focused. I finished up with the preparation for the meeting on the airplane.

I landed safely and took the first cap I found and asked him to drive me to the hotel. I arrived late so I didn't have much time to rest. I was overthinking and managing the last bullet points for my big day. I knew it was going to be a long and daunting day waiting for me but it was worth it.

I couldn't sleep well that night, I kept on waking up every hour or so. I didn't want to oversleep and screw it up. I didn't want to screw any of it, it was serious and I was responsible for making it work. I woke up and got dressed; I tried to cover the dark circles with makeup but I don't think it worked. I went down to the lobby and checked where the meeting is taking place because the hotel was very big and I didn't know anyone there to rely on.

At 9:00 am, it started and every representative was there. We spent about six hours discussing events, projects, and future plans. It was a fruitful and successful one. I got the chance to meet others who share the same passion as mine and who wants to make a change in our society. I learned a lot from them and about myself, too.

I encourage everyone to not settle for ordinary, you can be extraordinary. You can aim for the sky and fly like a free bird. Don't let anyone tell you the opposite. There are no limits or boundaries; we are the ones who actually make them. Start doing what you love and take it one step at the time, now is the right time. Life is full of opportunities and chances seize them.