No dream is too big to achieve. Growing up, I never thought I would be a first degree black belt in Taekwondo. It has helped me in every area of my life and made me a better person. Taekwondo is a very good workout for those trying to lose weight or stay in shape. The benefits are unlimited. Taekwondo is beneficial for people of all ages. I enjoy working out and teaching others. It helps keep me healthy and young. 

A mother’s nature is to take care of everyone, yet we forget to prioritize our own selves. Last year, I started teaching privately to adults. This year Parkland College offered me an opportunity to teach. I have always wanted to teach at Parkland College since I was a student there. All good things take time as long as we try our best to achieve them. I am so grateful! 

There is no age limit to start anything you desire. I would encourage everyone to know a little bit about self-defense. It helps develop the confidence to live a full and fearless life. 

Many of us make new year resolutions but we get carried away with other responsibilities. There are still five months remaining in 2024. Don’t have regrets. Take control of your life and yourself. Do what makes you happy “Because You’re Worth It”. 

Introduction to Taekwondo – Parkland College (augusoft.net)

Life is beautiful!

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It’s been 49 years  since my Abu (father) passed away. Every year on Father’s Day, I miss him. Wish he was alive so I can call him, Abu. My Amee told me when I was three years old, my Abu had passed away. I don’t have any memories of him. I miss the Abu I made up in my head. I remember as a child wishing that he wasn’t gone. Was always hoping that one day the doorbell would ring, and he would be home. I envisioned him looking very happy and healthy. He would hold me in his arms, swing me around, and give me lots of presents as if he had just returned from a business trip. From that day on, my Amee and my sisters would live happily ever after. The reality was and is that he did die, when I was at a young age.

Today, I am writing and thinking about my Abu. I have seen his pictures, handwriting,  personal belongings such as his jacket, writing pad, briefcase, and camera. Through those things I have created memories about him. 

Growing up Amee and other family members always told me that I looked like him. I always felt great about it. I was born on a religious day and he was very happy about it, he picked my name “Zainab”. The day after I was born, he got a good business deal and I was his good luck daughter. I was close to him. When I turned one-year-old, he threw a huge party for me. Amee tells me that I remind her of him. Every time I look at my face in the mirror I search for him in my own face. 

My Abu’s name was Mohammed Madar Susi. He was born in Kharghar, India, on February 15, 1929. He passed away on March 17, 1975 at the age of 46. He was a photographer and loved to take other people’s pictures. His hobbies were writing short stories, drawing human sketches. Abu was 6 ft. 2 inches tall like his own father. 

Just writing about Abu makes me want to meet him more. I wish I had memories with him. When it comes down to your parent’s age, it doesn’t matter. I am proud to say that he was my Abu and will always miss him.

Fathers’ are also as important as mothers’. They play a huge role in a child’s life. As a society, we don’t give fathers’ as much credit as they deserve. Not all mothers are good moms’, just like that not all fathers’ are good dads’. I personally know many good fathers’ near and far who are doing an excellent job. Many fathers’ are so much better parents than many mothers’. They love their family/kids just like moms’ do. 

If you’re lucky enough to still have your father, please don’t take them for granted. Make sure to talk and visit them. On this year’s Father’s Day,  I wish all dads’ a very Happy Father’s Day.   

“Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad.” ~Anne Geddes

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There are no words to describe how important our mothers are for us. It has been almost eight years since I lost my mom (Amee) . I have an emptiness inside of me and a big hole in my heart. There is not a day that goes by when I don’t think about her. I miss her a lot, but what I miss the most is calling her Amee. 

My Amee was the most beautiful, strong, and big-hearted woman I have ever met. She wasn’t materialistic at all. She was also not rich, but she always found a way to help others. Sometimes when I think about her life, I wonder how she did it all? Growing up, I don’t remember when our grandmother (nani) moved in with us. I know she lived with us until she passed. One of my cousins also moved into our home when she was just eight years old. Amee raised her just like she raised her own daughters.  Sometimes, I am amazed by how eight people were able to live in a small two bedroom house. She never complained or got frustrated. Amee was truly humble and patient. I feel blessed even though I miss her terribly. I am proud to say I have learned all of my parenting skills from my Amee. Any success my girls and I have enjoyed, I give credit to my Amee. 

My heart goes out to those kids/people out there who don’t have a mother. There are so many people who have a mother but don’t take the time to visit. Remember she is the reason for who you are and where you are today. 

I like this American tradition of celebrating Mother’s Day once a year. Visiting your mother or sending flowers once a year isn’t enough. Whenever family is around, that’s Mother’s Day for mothers. 

A very happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there, whether you are a new mom or have been one for a long time.  Enjoy each day and make memories. Happy Mother’s Day! 

“God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers” Rudyard Kipling—

Life is beautiful!

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If you can’t find anything, be grateful for waking up every single morning and being alive. That’s the biggest blessing we all have. I believe the more we are grateful, the more we receive. Nobody’s life is perfect. We have no control of when things go wrong but we sure have control of how we react to challenges. That’s where our power is. “Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation of abundance.” ~Eckhart TolleLife is beautiful!

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Am I halfway done or do I still have half of my life to live? It all depends on how we look at it, our perspective, right?  I just celebrated my birthday. Where did time go by? I can close my eyes and see my entire life run by like a movie in less than a minute. 

On my birthday lots of people celebrated with me and sent me birthday wishes from near and far. I really appreciate all of them. I feel extremely blessed to know that there are lots of people who love and care about me and they are there with me through thick and thin. That made me realize that I have lived a good half of my life! 

The first half of my life was slightly different from many other people. I didn’t have a choice in any areas in my life but had to accept whatever life had thrown at me. At an early age I learned to accept rather than resist. I took it as I have chosen it and I have no regrets at all. But from time to time we all take a pause and look around and ask ourselves, ‘how did I end up here?’

I have heard people say that life starts around 50. That sure started happening to me. I got so burned out by pleasing everyone early in my life, being nice and giving. At some point when I couldn’t take it anymore I surrendered myself. I quit pleasing everyone. It was time for me to take care of myself and survive. The less I was producing the more I was finding myself and getting comfortable under my own skin. Every single morning as soon as I open my eyes the very first thing I say is gratitude. I am extremely grateful about being alive and thankful for what I have. It’s an extremely powerful tool. The more grateful you are, the more you receive. Many years later, I still practice this every morning.

At the age of 49, I had a hysterectomy. That surgery freed me in many ways. I felt like my body was controlling me for a very long time. I started living in the “power of now”. When someone complains to me, instead of becoming defensive, I give that person my full attention. I don’t listen with just my ears but with my whole body. By doing that, I have noticed that people feel more comfortable and open in a conversation. Eckhart Tolle said, “Anytime you have hurt feelings it is always your ego”. It’s very easy to blame others but we hurt ourselves too. 

As many of you know, I was a single parent for a long time. I didn’t realize many years later that the title of “single parent” became my identity. When we take all the layers off, degrees, marital status, job title, age, looks, body shape, race, financial status, and skills, who are we really? None of that is our identity, those are titles. None of that matters. What matters is how we look at ourselves and how we treat each other. That’s what people remember, not our titles or what we ate that day. Slowly but surely, I started taking care of my mind, body and soul. Today I feel healthier than ever.  

Last year I started teaching a workout and taekwondo class. I have no doubt that my very respectful students are making me an even better person. I can proudly say that Taekwondo sure saved me. If I didn’t have the mind, body, and soul awareness and discipline it taught me, I wouldn’t know how to survive. 

Last year, Parkland College asked me to teach a workout and Taekwondo class. Many years ago, when I was at Parkland as a student, it was my wish that someday I would love to teach here. Dreams do come true but sometimes we have to wait for the right time. 

Two months ago, I got a call from a wonderful lady who I just met at the gym. She asked me if I could train her for the upcoming Christie Clinic ½ marathon. She must have noticed something in me. 

Recently, someone paid me a compliment without knowing anything about my personal life and said, “Aren’t you living a dream life”? At first I smiled and then later when I thought about it I remembered that Yes, I am living a dream life. This is it. I Have Arrived! 

I am aware that our upbringing, culture, religion and environment play a huge role in how we turn out. But when we know better we do better. We have to like, love and respect our own happiness. Nobody, I mean nobody, can make us happy if we aren’t already happy with ourselves. I try my best to start everything from inside out instead of outside in. I don’t have material things to offer but I feel priceless. What I have money can’t buy like love and respect. I am a rich woman. 

At this point in my life I don’t get easily stressed and get fearful about anything anymore but look at it as “This too shall pass”. Our attitude plays a huge role in life. 

Who knows how long I will live but whatever life is ahead of me I hope that what I have learned I will apply and have an even better future. I am excited about the unknowns  and looking forward to having whatever life throws at me. I will handle it with wisdom and the right way. Ameen.

 “The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation but your thoughts about it.”- Eckhart Tolle

Life is beautiful!

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It’s hard to believe that 2024 marks 7 years of keeping a gratitude jar. Seven years ago, when I first started,it was simply a New Year’s resolution. My intention was to focus on all the things I was grateful for, small and big for the whole year. Then, on the last day of the year, I would open the jar with my family and read all the notes.  My girls and I enjoyed reading notes about memories collected through the year that we had forgotten about. Even when I had forgotten the events of the year, the notes in the jar reminded me of how good the year still was.   

This is how the jar works. Whenever anything small or big happens that I am grateful for, I write it down on a piece of paper with the date and put it in the jar. I keep the jar on my desk so it is always within reach and as a constant reminder of how many things I am grateful for. It’s very easy to focus on the negative and we tend to dwell on negativity longer than we should.

As many of you know I have a habit of keeping a journal and I am proud to say that my family has adopted this habit too. On the last day of the year, we all take out our journals and privately look back on the whole year. If we want to, we make realistic new year’s resolutions. It has become our year-end tradition. 

When 2023 first started, like many others I was excited about the year and eager to accomplish my resolutions. I created my thankful jar and named it “Gratitude”. We all know how many sad events took place in 2023. But, in the midst of all that, my thankful jar kept getting full. Believe it or not the 2023 jar was more full than the previous ones. 

It’s a choice we make every day to be happy and positive, or unhappy and negative. You don’t have to spend a penny to start a gratitude jar. It’s free of cost. I use my empty salsa jar and any paper I find in the house. You can use anything in your home. The only rule I made for my jar is that no matter how bad my day was I will always find something to be grateful for. The most important one is that each morning I am grateful to be alive. 

It’s a very powerful jar and keeps me grounded. I’m looking forward to continuing the tradition in 2024. 

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough. Oprah Winfrey”

Life is beautiful!

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We are in the last month of 2023. 

This month is full of joy, fun, celebrations, decorations, sharing food, gifts, and so much more! Anywhere we turn it is a festive and fun time. Not everyone can afford gifts or has a family and friends to celebrate with. Make sure to be inclusive and welcoming in your home to all. This joy is supposed to be shared with others. 

Growing up in Pakistan and in a Muslim household, I didn’t celebrate any holidays except the ones in Islam. Having lived in the States for so long, though, I feel like American holidays are part of my holidays too!

Where did 2023 go? There were many negative things happening all around the world, but at the same time lots of good things, too. Let’s be grateful for the good and try to change the bad. 

We are about to enter 2024. Try to let go of the past and get excited for the future. Nothing stays the same, and our attitude is the key for our happiness and success. 

I wish the New Year brings lots of happiness and peace all around the world. I hope people choose love over hate. From my home to yours, have a great holiday season and a Happy New Year! 

Life is beautiful!  

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” ~Rumi!

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It’s hard to believe that we’re halfway through 2023 already. We still have half of the year to go. If you had made goals or new year resolutions early on that you didn’t keep – you can start anytime you want! Don’t be discouraged, you still have time to do it. Remember we aren’t going backwards but moving forward. You aren’t racing against anyone but yourself. Every morning for the last six months I made a resolution where, as soon as I opened my eyes, the very first thing I would do is say a word of gratitude for being alive another day and for all that I have. By doing that I noticed my focus shift to the plenty instead of the scarce. I am happier,  more satisfied, away from negative thoughts and better at living in the power of the present.

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” – Oprah Winfrey.

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I am writing to express my strong support for the Illinois Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act. The bill seeks to eliminate cash bail and implement several other reforms to our criminal justice system. This includes provisions that will improve access to pre-trial services such as mental health and substance abuse treatment, which can help reduce recidivism and improve public safety.

Unfortunately, the discourse opposing the SAFE-T Act is heavily misconstrued. Opponents of the bill often cite the decision to remove cash bail as a flaw that will give criminals “free reign” on Illinois streets. In reality, the bill would replace cash bail with a system that considers an individual’s flight risk and danger to the community, rather than their ability to pay. This will ensure that people are not detained simply because they cannot afford bail, and that dangerous individuals are not released due to their wealth.

The aptly named SAFE-T Act is currently awaiting a hearing from the Illinois Supreme Court with no indicator as to when an opinion will be issued. As a soon to be social work graduate with a strong sense of advocacy toward mental health I am in full support of the SAFE-T Act. I strongly urge our elected officials to support this important legislation, which will help create a more just and equitable criminal justice system.

Sincerely, Daniel Rodriguez

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Happy Mother’s Day! 

I’m lucky to know so many great, beautiful, wonderful mothers. Every single one of them has done a great job as a mother, but for this year’s Mother’s Day, I would like to celebrate my own mother and motherhood.

Ever since I was a little girl I always knew someday I would be a mother and I also knew I would have daughters. Isn’t it interesting? My intuition was very strong. 

The very first time I became a mother was three days before Mother’s Day in 1994. It’s been almost 29 years and I have enjoyed every single day. I still love being a mother to my both girls. 

My mother had five daughters within 9 years. She loved all of us and she did her best to be a good mother. I learned how to be a good mother from her. My mother didn’t have many material goods to provide us with. However, she was rich in many other ways. She gave us unconditional love, care, respect, class, dignity, and so much more. I miss her dearly. 

I wish all mom’s near and far a very Happy Mother’s Day! Whether you are a new mom or have been around for a bit, remember how important your role is. We aren’t just raising a child, we are raising the next generation. A child doesn’t come with a manual and we mothers aren’t perfect. We make mistakes too, but make sure to learn from those mistakes and be better the next time. Our kids don’t do what we say, they do what they see. Let’s be a good example and role model for them.  

“Motherhood is a choice you make everyday, to put someone else’s happiness and well-being ahead of your own, to teach the hard lessons, to do the right thing even when you’re not sure what the right thing is…and to forgive yourself, over and over again, for doing everything wrong.”

Have a great MOM’s Day! Life is beautiful!

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