I start this email by knowing it might be a little late. Last week was the last class of my improvisation course for a while so today I was free on a Sunday afternoon and I went to see my mum. Problem is I accidentally left my laptop at home so am writing this after I got back! This reminded me that I am human and that sometimes being late is ok.. everything happens within its time. 

Last week I ran a workshop on 'identity, belonging, and culture' at the Psychosynthesis Coaching Limited Symposium. I knew that those who attended would leave 'empowered', 'more connected with themselves', 'moved,' what I didn't expect to receive was an email from a friend of a friend of a friend who the participant mentioned the workshop to saying that they were curious about my work! I felt in awe knowing that this work was being shared with others. I felt so much lighter and better knowing that this work was being shared with others. I also realized that whilst many people believe they can do the work of 'identity, belonging, and culture' the reality is not everyone can - it has taken me at least 10 years of study as well as numerous trainings in this and that to get me here. If you are in a team or group that could do with some support in this area please reach out. 

Onto other things —  with it being international women's day a few days ago and mothers day today it made me reflect a lot on what it means to be a woman and the expectations that everyone has of us... including ourselves! To be honest, I don't know where to start writing a response to this... but what I do know is that it is particularly hard for women all over the world. The decisions and choices we make are constantly challenged, even in unspoken ways. I suspect some of you reading this will question my choice of hijab (is she oppressed? is she doing it because a man has told her she has to wear that thing? a few hairs are showing... she obviously doesn't know what she is doing...etc etc). Women have it hard... So what can you (we) do? We can remember that it is important to respect everyone, and to treat people with dignity and kindness... and care. 

The space of last week felt really short for me —  as I was looking for the pictures to put in this weeks image I was reminded of how much I did... and then I was reminded of the things that I had to reschedule or postpone or cancel. I am human and sometimes being human is hard. 

Today, as I reflect on last week I am telling myself: 

—  being late is ok if it has no impact on others

— being human is being kind to yourself when you don't meet your expectations

— being clear requires having boundaries and being kind to yourself

— being generous doesn't take a lot of time or money... it requires a thought

— being ill provides an opportunity for rest*

*on Friday evening I fell ill with some sort of a bug and my weekend has been a right off... I have not been able to do any of the things I was meant to... and I have been 'forced' to have some extra rest! 

It was announced that Ramadan officially started this evening with the first fast tomorrow. If you participate in Ramadan then I wish you a blessed month. If you don't participate then I wish you a blessed next few weeks however you are spending them. 

Something unusual I will be doing is really focusing in on the idea of rest —  where can I find pockets not to simply physically and intellectually rest, but where can I find spaces to completely rest... to pause... to engage in a way allows my inner teacher and intuition to show through unexpectedly. 

I offer the above as an invitation to you... how can you connect with yourself more by surrendering to what is emerging... be it lovely or hard or unexpected or delightful. Surrender to the unknown, to the moment. A bit like the advice from the tree in image 1... and consider that in the context of all the ancestors who enabled you to be here today - see image 5. 

Enjoy the view!

Have a great week. 

All my best,

Saiyyidah

The Space

PS — The images in the picture represent:

1. A poem about one of my loves ... trees! 

2 & 3. Pictures my visit to the University of Oxford's Centre for Culture and Religion where I spent a few hours in my capacity as a Research Associate (wow!!!). I loved the idea that we can post in prayer requests :-) 

4. An unexpected bunch of flowers from a friends in celebration of international women's day.

6. An image that reminds me of all the people who had to exist before I could be in this world.

6 & 7. Images of cards that were explored in the psychosynthesis symposium I attended earlier in the week. 

6. Cards that I picked during my creative supervision session. 

7. A symbol for giving the gift of time... and finding sanctuary.