The Next Chapter
A poem written by Hajara Pitan for the Inspired Women of Worth (iWOW) Network
The Next Chapter
Lying on the beach
Book in hand
Turning the pages
As I soak in the warm glorious sunshine.
I can’t help but think back
Chapter one was glorious
It talked about my childhood, wild and totally free of care
Chapter 2 was likewise
I hardly recognize the fun, carefree and opinionated teenager there
Was that really me?
I had dreams; UN Secretary General, Nobel Prize Winner, Business Mogul
Billionaire, wife, mother, heiress!
All in one!
By chapter 3, I had narrowed it down
Prince Charming! Wife! Billionaire! CEO of a Fortune 500 company!
I will have it all!
The world will be my oyster!
All, after I finish university!
In came Chapter 4!
Adulthood, bills, job hunting
And oh! So many “no’s”
“No we can’t hire you”
“No I won’t marry you”
“No, I haven’t had the child yet”
“And in my account? No, millions”
“No!” “No!” “No!”
By Chapter 5
I’m already jaded
Eyes wide open, I have become “realistic”
I don’t even go where I will hear the no’s anymore
I sit, safe in my comfort zone,
Safe where I am known, safe with the people I know
I fear to venture out…
So here I lie
Book in hand!
I flip the page, Chapter 6 is blank!
I hear a voice saying “write your next chapter!”
Pen in hand
I begin to scribble, slowly at first
But I get ever quicker…
Tomorrow is a blank slate
And I will start over!
In my Next Chapter
I step out in strength
I step out with clarity!
I am equipped to rebuild
To start over!
In my Next Chapter
I permit myself to dream anew!
And every dream finds expression!
I change my thoughts so I can change my world!
In this Next Chapter
I don’t ask “what if I fail?”
I ask, “what if I succeed?”
And I put my hands to the plough!
In this Next Chapter my desire for success
Far outweighs my fear of failure
In this Next Chapter
I am new
Unleashed
Unstoppable
Unrelenting
I am writing my Next Chapter
Will you write yours too?
Hajel's Musings 
Sigh.
I think a lot of us fall into this category, what I call ‘broken and forgotten dreams’.
We have become jaded, cynical and unresponsive as a result of our past experiences; the very things that shouldn’t define us in the first place.
So yes, I chose to write my next chapter and it is titled ‘Tomorrow Beckons’
Thanks ma’am for this wake up call!
I am glad it awakens something on the inside! Please write “tomorrow beckons” on your blog, let’s dream with you and hold you accountable. I can’t wait to read it.