"Wherever you stand, be the soul of that place"

-Rumi

[arabamericano]

I knew I was over you when I stopped looking up your horoscope. xoxo

nme

[arabamericano]

Expectations

I recently read some quote that said something along the lines of "...don't have expectations, they lead to disappointment" and everyone was agreeing yup just don't have those expectations, etc. Well first of all, that's just impossible. We ALL have expectations, everyone has expectations that stem from inner beliefs, values, experiences and they come out as EXPECTATIONS. Whether or not you communicate those or come to terms with them yourself is your issue. Not the fact that someone didn't meet your unspoken and invisible expectations that you had in your head. Face them, explore them, then share them verbally or in writing or in song or in dance or all of the above to the person you're trying to be in a relationship with. So many relationships would have never happened and saved everyone heart ache and pain if those expectations were just communicated in the first place. And to each their own, what you consider as "unrealistic" is someone else's "normal". One love, NME

[arabamericano]

If you're not ready for love, how can you be ready for life?

Soko

[arabamericano]

In the aftermath of the past two days in America: -The cops who killed Alton Sterling and Philando Castile are alive and on paid administrative leave -The suspect who killed the cops in Dallas was killed using a bomb robot used in war and for the first time used on US land And just like that, the rightful anger of the Black community and beyond is diffused. And just like that, the conversation has shifted. And just like that, we are reminded who holds power. May all who passed rest in peace, may we have the courage to stand for humanity.

nme

[arabamericano]

I'm losing grip on the pen I use to write my life story. I used to write with purpose, hard lines and bullets, goals to be checked and lists to cross out. Lately I'm just scribbling, I'm leaving blank pages days at a time and none of it is legible. I need to take control of the narrative but I'm not sure where to go.

nme

[arabamericano]

His timing is perfection. His reasoning is mercy. His ask is patience.

nme

[arabamericano]

The wrong people will mock the same quality the right people will cherish.

Yasmin Mogahed

[arabamericano]

He catches glimpses of who she used to be in those moments where she's not on guard, her faint smile and easy breath. If only he can understand what's haunting her, they will be okay.

nme

[arabamericano]

[arabamericano]

There's something about April and May that has haunted me for years, I brace myself every time this time of year passes. I pray to make it through.

nme

[arabamericano]

We can't grieve for others as they move through their grief. Too many times I've consumed myself with another's heart ache, loss, pain hoping to absorb it away from them. Everyone's grief is theirs to grieve. Listen and offer support as they transform in strength.

nme

[meanwhilepoetry]

You are calling yourself worthless and weak again because you feel like you are taking too long to heal too long to be ‘normal’ again and it makes me ache inside to watch you tear yourself down this way. Because you are neither worthless nor weak. What about all the tremendous wars you have been fighting within yourself whilst the rest of the world sleeps? What about the battle cries that echo in your mind from fighting fearsome demons made of pain and damage and destruction? What about all the heartache you have survived, that you have pulled yourself through? You are stronger, stronger than anyone gives you credit for. Stronger than even you know. So your survival is different, your survival demands more to heal your pain. Healing has never been a straight road, love. It contains the steepest mountains and valleys and the deepest of oceans. Repeat after me: Healing is not horizontal and I am allowed to take my time. Healing is not horizontal and I am allowed to take my time. Healing is not horizontal and I am allowed to take my time.

Nikita Gill, Take Your Time (via untamedunwanted)

[arabamericano]

Gracious goes the ghost of you And I will never forget the plans and the Silhouettes you drew here and Gracious goes the ghost of you My dear

Ben Howard, Gracious

[arabamericano]

The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.

Harriet Beecher Stowe

[arabamericano]

Quran 47:24

[arabamericano]

The denominator of kindness on any given day is vastly greater than the numerator of cruelty

Daniel Goleman

[arabamericano]

For the first time in years I made the cardamom tea you taught me. I crushed those seeds as gently as I could but wasn't prepared for their fragrant smell to come rushing with memories. I boiled them with cinnamon and that rich whole milk. I kneaded the sweet bread and sprinkled those magical black seeds that your grandma swore healed everything. I was cooking in silence and there was a hum of love and peace around me. It was how your house used to smell and I remember it with fondness instead of sadness. Happy Nowruz, happy new beginnings.

nme