A personal story of the author reflecting on her journey of life with references to quotes from the Qur'an, Hadith and contemporary thinkers.
"I found him unconscious on the bed early on Saturday morning and, within two weeks, he was gone. A shock. An out of the blue, out of nowhere, blindsiding shock."
When award-winning author and magazine editor Na'ima B. Robert lost her husband of 15 years and found herself solely responsible for their five children and her late husband's company, the entire axis of her world shifted. Suddenly, she was a widow, a single mother, and a reluctant CEO.
But, through her faith in Allah's plan for her and her decision to choose gratitude over despair, she was able to rise from the tragedy and show up differently: more present, more confident, more powerful, more grateful than ever.
So many of us sleepwalk through life: frustrated, unhappy, lacking confidence in our abilities and accomplishments, and destined never to reach our full potential. We allow our limiting beliefs to hold us back. We allow our challenges to define us. We allow other people's expectations to imprison us.
'Show Up: A Motivational Message for Muslim Women' is based on the lessons Na'ima learned on her journey, inviting the reader to show up, authentically and sincerely, in their lives, casting aside the role of victim and instead, living as the hero of their own life story.
This book is replete with personal stories, quotes from Qur'an, hadith and contemporary thinkers like Seth Godin, Brene Brown, and others, as well as action points and space for the reader to reflect and apply the principles.
Finally. Finally a motivational self-help, self-care book written for the Muslim woman, with Islamic references and stories intricately woven in. This gives it beautiful depth.
Naima B. Robert has written an insightful book, full of raw vulnerability, sharing her own deeply personal stories and experiences. This book reads like a love-letter to the sisterhood of Muslim women to inspire her to "...choose courage over fear". It takes the reader on a reflective journey that lights a fire of hope for whichever life stage she's at, and for situations she has faced or is facing. It guides her on how to 'show up' authentically with an easy to follow, step-by-step process. This is a must-read for any Muslim woman ready to be present as a hero in her life, and for any woman trying to find the courage to do so.
As Robert asks "Now is the time for it, if not now, then when? And, if not you, then who?".
Tumkeen, Writer and Poet, Contributing Writer for Detroit Mom and Lansing Mom
