…how we like to think about the future with so much certainty, but in truth we don’t really know how things will play out?
Last year, around this time, I had just finished organizing an Islamic convention in Toronto, an experience which, for me, was life-changing and life-enriching. I could hardly sit still from excitement over planning the next convention, since I had loved it so much. Yet due to a series of unfortunate events not in my control, I wasn’t able to organize the convention this year and was heartbroken. The past weekend was a very difficult one for me as I couldn’t help but reminisce about all the fun times I had had and the amazing friends I had made. It was so hard to be a general volunteer last weekend during the convention, after organizing and being in the thick of things the year before. After struggling with this for awhile, I came to accept that it just wasn’t in my control.
Similarly, during my years of undergrad, I ran away from being a teacher, since I felt like it was the only option for me as an English major. It was the last thing I could see myself doing, and when I reached my last year at university, I instead applied for a Certificate in Creative Book Publishing. That didn’t end up working out, and now two summers later, here I am about to enrol into Teacher’s College. Sometimes, I get really angry at myself for wasting the past two years and a whole lot of money; I wish I had just applied to Teacher’s College right after Undergrad, but then I realise that that’s not how it was meant to be. I ended up learning a lot in the past 2 years and growing up as well, and I appreciate these life lessons now.
As a Muslimah who strongly believes in the benefits of marrying early, I had thought that I’d be married by now at the age of 23. It might sound funny to some of you, but my life plan, which included a dream of having at least one book published by now, included being married by now. This is hard to accept as I watch my younger cousins and friends getting marrying and wondering when my turn will come, but again, this is something that isn’t really in my hands.
There are many things that I had planned or imagined for myself at this point in my life that haven’t come to fruition yet, and while these things frustrate me, it also makes me appreciate how frail I am in the hands of God and His plans. As much as I struggle with these things, I’ve recently come to accept the fact that no matter how much I plan, certain things will only happen when they’re meant to be, since God is the best of planners.
Thanks for reading,
Ikhlas
This is a very uncertain time in our lives but I really admire how you pursue what you love and you are serious about your craft(s).
I keep hearing the teacher’s market is saturated and peeps have some trouble securing a position after…have you heard something similar? Also Sabina would be a good person to talk to also abt teacher’s college!
Thanks, Keshi! And yes, I’ve heard the same thing about becoming a teacher and it’s made me quite anxious. Just going to hope for the best!
Yes, the teacher’s job market is pretty saturated. Unless you have french, music, or special ed credentials your best options will be to go teach abroad or find positions in private schools. Not to be a debby downer but that’s just the reality 🙁
You know what I’m liking right now?
That you’re talking more and more about yourself in this blog 🙂
Thanks, Haneen! It’s hard to talk about myself on the blog, but I’m trying to do it more. 🙂
Life never goes according to plan….but that’s what makes it so exciting! You never know what is just around the corner! Even when things don’t go exactly the way you want them to you have to keep faith that the future is going to be awesome! 🙂 Great post
Thanks, Natalie! 🙂