Are you a settler?
I love quotes and one of my favourites is “There is no passion in living small and settling for a life less than the one you are capable of living”, said Nelson Mandela. I love this quote because it sometimes becomes the torch I need to illuminate the darkness when I’m in doubt of my strength and capabilities.
We all have that moment when it feels like one is not up to a task and uncertainties creep in. At that moment, we mostly have two choices. One is to fall into the doubt and the other is to forge ahead and find out if you are actually capable or not; if it goes well or not; and if you will succeed or not. When you follow the second choice, another doubthole is deciding whether to allow the result of the trial determine your capabilities and strength in future endeavours.
I had been in the first doubthole days before and I decided to forge ahead. Today, I started an 100 day writing Marathon and this is my first piece. Yes, you read that right; 100. I know that's a lot. Before you ask why, let me tell you a bit about myself.
I am Sakeenah Kareem. My pen name is Tranquillink and I've been writing since I was 8. I write poems, prose, drama, quotes, articles, essays, and anything as long as it involves using words to pass messages or evoke emotions. Sometimes I write because I feel like and because I have something to write about. Often times, I write because I need to.
Over the years, I have done many writing challenges that involved writing consistently for 7, 15, and 30. I suceeded at them. Now, I decided to push my limit and go for an 100 day streak. What do I gain if I suceed? I get to flex my writing muscles, get better at writing, and ultimately, know that I can be consistent at something for 100 days and possibly more.
But what if I don’t get to complete it? Will I allow that to determine if I’ll ever participate in a writing challenge again? Or will I steer clear of writing totally? Rather than allow myself to be consumed by negative what ifs, I choose to be on the positive side. Whether I succeed at this challenge or not, what matters is that I would have written consistently for some days. However, I’ll try my best to suceed at it.
What I’ve realised is that sometimes we are own roadblocks by living in doubt, fear, and pessimism. How about we go for what we want without overthinking or overanalysing it? Afterall, how would you know what you are capable of if you don’t try?
Dear Reader, you might want to ask yourself if you are living the life you're capable of or you've been settling. Failure they say is part of success, but how would you even fail if you don't take the first step. If you don't push yourself, you won't know what you're capable of. This might be a sign to stop settling and take that step today. You might be on your way to unlocking your greatest capabilities yet.
Thank you for reading to this point. Here is me not settling. For the next 99 days, I'll put out whatever I write everyday here. Would you stick around?
I'd love that you do but you know what I'll love more? Clap for this post if you love it, comment what you love about it, and share to anyone you think needs to hear this message.
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© Tranquillink
Day 001/100
#the100writingmarathon
