Guest Blogger - Sadia Qazi - The Wings of the Butterfly

Sadia Qazi, a young woman in Pakistan, came to my attention because she left a comment on our Spirited Woman Blog that literally made me weep, the writing was that beautiful and heartfelt. I asked her if she would write a series of guest blogs for us having no idea of her enormous struggles - even though I recognized her unstoppable spirit. This is the first in her series of three. After losing everything, she came to realize she had everything. Nancy Mills

In life, the best of our hope is our inner-strength. When all the odds are against us, it is vital to keep our spirits agile and vivacious. And we are in the midst of a constant battle in our lives whether that is financial security or relationship knots.

Two years back, it was the first year of my marriage and I went on living with my husband in the small city of Nowshehra, Pakistan. It was the monsoon and the day of my birthday when the water barricades fell down and the city was engulfed by the fifteen feet high water flood.

The horrors of the drowning houses and being rescued were enough to give nightmares. The verve of water left us with nothing. The house with all our belongings was dust and mud. I had collected pretty dresses and decorating items and households for the start of a new home, my new life. But nothing was left and that was a time to start the life from scratch again.

My husband was distraught at the grave reality but no one understood the very concept of starting from  scratch literally. I knew I had to step up. I didn’t shed a tear because I knew I have to be strong. My husband, who was never willing to let me be a working woman, helped me set up my little fashion designing venture. I initiated with customized orders and designing for various freelance graphic projects.

The strength in me was my faith. I had believed that there is no problem greater than we can bear and I can make it.

My inspiration and source of vigor was a small incident. Earlier, the day of the flood it all occurred. I saw a butterfly in my garden fluttering its wings trying to move forward despite the harsh winds. It moved forward and was shoved back many paces by the wind. It mustered its resolve and moved forward again. I watched it until the butterfly flew off the backyard.

It hit me in a moment that if a tiny butterfly can try to fly in this trying hour, why cannot me. For my self support, I photo manipulated many of my pictures. I added wings to my pictures; just holding onto the spirit of the butterfly. It just gave me a strange divine energy to see myself with the wings of a butterfly. Wonderfully, I added a butterfly in my corporate identity as well.

My battle is still going on. With the high spirits and determination, I am trying again and again and I have a belief that I can make it through. 

No matter how big your trouble is, you can always come through as long as you believe in yourself.

- Sadia Qazi  http://www.facebook.com/SadiaArts
Click here to read more of Sadia's posts.

Sadia's Bio:

I live in a small city of Jhelum in Pakistan. I am the only child of my parents and at the age of 27 I am striving to achieve my dreams. Graphics designer by profession, I venture in the various fields of arts. I am a hobbyist photographer and love capturing nature. For many years, I am writing for print media as well. I am currently working on my first novel titled ‘The Other Side of Me’.

I also manage a designer label creating customized apparels for the female customers. I started off my designer label to empower women who want to support their family but are not allowed to leave their homes due to the social and cultural limitations. These women work and get paid while staying in their homes.

I believe in myself and my dream is to make a difference for the women in this world.  

Comments

[Jackie Wimberly]

Sadia,
You are so far away...but so close to me and many other women in spirit!
Thanks you for sharing your're story , your faith, spirit and creativity!
Many Blessings!
Jackie Wimberly
Miami, Florida USA

[Irum]

Hi Sadia. Your writing is beautiful..it touches the heart and makes the brain wonder, and i find it truly inspirational. Good work! Looking forward to your blog series, and impatiently waiting to read your novel. Love, Irum

[Whitney Ferre]

Sadia,
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. Butterflies have been coming up a lot for me too. I am at a transformative point in my life too. Sometimes the question is how much? Do I really go for it? At what cost? We can be so brave in certain areas of our lives while there are still others that get us stuck (in the coccoon?). The image of the butterfly fluttering against the wind is beautiful. Sending you colorful, creative butterfly energy from the U.S. I look forward to your entire blog series! Namaste. Whitney